I'm bored out of my mind being sick right now. The only thing keeping me sane is the fact that I can sit up enough to upload new chapters to all my stories. So congrats! I'm an updating skank right now.

NJPNJPNJP

"Are you going to ask him anytime soon?" Laura questioned Quinn. It was noon on Sunday & the kids were having brunch. Their moms went out & their dads were away at the conference. Robert was probably asleep still.

"I think I want to put it off." Quinn passed the bowl of fruit to Mal. "That way maybe he'll have plans."

Marc shook his head. "You should get it over with. I'm telling you; it's going to gnaw at you all week."

Mike nodded. "I agree. I think Sam can handle it. Just ask him."

Quinn shrugged. "I'll try." She spooned more eggs onto Maddie's plate.

"So church was fun." Marcy made a face.

Everyone agreed. The kids actually liked church. Going with their parents was the issue. Today another issue arose. Where was Robert Hall? Laura was super embarrassed her husband missed another service & having all those busybodies ask made it worse.

"He'll make it next week." Mercedes soothed.

Laura smiled wanly.

"Marcy, why'd you keep Mal out all night? I tried to call you to tell you to tell him to bring his butt home but you wouldn't answer."

Marcy gave Mike a strange look. "What are you talking about?"

"Friday. He was supposed to watch Maddie but he went to dinner with you." Mike explained. "I tried texting him but he wouldn't pick up. But you always answer. I freaked until I realized what you were probably doing but still. When I got up yesterday, he was already gone."

Marcy frowned. "I haven't seen him since lunch on Friday."

Everyone turned to the boy in question who had been decidedly quiet during the exchange.

"You said you were going to dinner with Marcy when we talked after practice." Mike scolded his brother. "Where the hell were you?"

"Why wouldn't you answer your phone, Marce?" Quinn asked.

"I dropped it after practice & it broke. I had to get a new one yesterday." Marcy replied, her eyes never leaving Mal. "Why'd you lie on me, Mal?"

Mal chuckled nervously.

Mercedes reached for his hand. "Whatever it is, it'll be okay."

"I did go out to dinner." He said slowly, avoiding Marcy's gaze.

"With who?" Maddie kicked her feet. This conversation was going too slow!

"Ellen Majors."

"Isn't that the girl from your photography class?" Quinn questioned. "She's really good!"

Mal kept his mouth shut.

"How do you know Quinn?" Marc asked.

"They came to take pictures of the cheerleading team. Remember Mercy?"

Mercedes frowned as she tried to recall the memory. Her face cleared as she remembered. "Oh yeah! She's the pretty redhead." She clamped her mouth shut as she realized what she said.

Everyone looked at Marcy who glared at Mal. The tension grew until Maddie couldn't stand it.

"Why is everybody acting so weird? Who is this girl?"

"Nobody!" Mal swore quickly.

Marcy gave a tight smile. "Of course she's somebody. She's a human being."

Everyone but Maddie (who chomped on her toast, oblivious), Mal (who watched Marcy like one would do the wolf about to strike) & Marcy (who wore a pleasant expression) exchanged a charged look. Marcy only got nice right before she got mean.

"I'll ask this week." Quinn said to change the subject.

"Good!" Mike feared for his brother's life but he made his bed.

"I got Tina to consider trying out." Mercedes supplied.

Mike & Quinn snapped to attention for entirely different reasons.

"Really?!" Quinn clapped.

"That's amazing!" Marcy agreed.

"I promised to wear a girl's uniform." Mercedes grimaced.

"Are you sure?" Quinn asked.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. I kinda want to anyway. I'm healthy & that's all that matters." Mercedes smiled.

"Good." Marcy said. "I can't be the only Jones rockin a Cheerios skirt everyday!"

"I wanna wear a skirt made of Cheerios!" Maddie shouted.

The room burst into laughter.

Laura wiped away tears. "It's not a skirt made of Cheerios, Maddie. It's the name of the cheerleading team at McKinley High."

"Oh." Maddie was no longer impressed.

"One day you'll be a Cheerio." Quinn told her.

"Really?" Maddie's eyes widened in excitement.

Mercedes nodded. "It's kinda of a family thing."

"Remember when you were six & Laura would let you play with her pompoms?" Marcy grinned.

"Oh yeah!" Maddie laughed. "So I'm going to be a cheerleader soon?"

"Not yet." Laura smirked. "You have four more years to go."

Maddie frowned. "That's bunk!"

"Marcy!" Marc scowled at her.

"What I do?!"

"You taught her that!" Mike pursed his lips.

"Only cuz you said I couldn't cuss in front of her!" Marcy pulled a face.

Maddie laughed at her extremely crazy family. It was times like this that she loved them the most.

M&Q&M

"Hey Mama." Puck leaned against Mercedes's locker & smirked.

"Hey Puck." She smiled softly. I'm such a loser! "How are you?"

"I'm good. I had a lot of fun Saturday." He shifted her Cheerios top. "Sorry about that."

She blushed. "No one saw it but Marcy. She named it Kevin."

He laughed. "Why couldn't she have named it after a girl?"

"Marcy's difficult to say the least!" Mercedes laughed. "Um… can I ask you something though?"

"Sure." He ran a finger down her cheek.

"Can you not talk to Mike about any of this?"

He frowned slightly. "What?"

"It's just that unlike me, he doesn't want his friends…"

"Want his friends what?"

"Doing whatever it is that we're doing?"

What are we doing? "Oh?"

Conversation became a little sparse after that.

"Why don't you want to tell him?" Puck finally asked.

"He's my best friend & I love him but he's so weird! I think he & Tina would be great together. If he has a girlfriend, he can get off my back!"

Puck laughed. "I get it. I don't know what I'm going to do when my little sister starts dating. Mike's just lookin out for you."

"I know. But why is his looking out for me equal me being alone?!" Mercedes pouted.

He chucked her chin playfully. "You're not anymore. We can keep it a secret for now. But not too long though." He warned. She looked at him curiously. "Because I would like to show my girl off!" She laughed. "& Mike's my bro. I don't want to lie to him."

"Okay. Not too long."

He pulled her hand to make her fall into his arms. "Kiss for my troubles?"

She laughed in his face. "You're so bad!"

"Ooooh!" Santana sang as she walked past. "Lover alert!" The two broke apart & Santana laughed. "Look out! Mike's on his way."

M&Q&M

"It's Wednesday, Quinn!" Mercedes slammed her locker. She glared at her friend. "You were supposed to ask him by now."

"I know!" Quinn slid onto the ground.

"Then why haven't you done it?!" Mercedes leaned against the locker. "We don't have a long practice today so you should ask him after glee."

"I just haven't had a moment alone with him!" Quinn protested.

"Well here's your chance." Mercedes lifted her chin to point down the hall where the hunky blonde was striding, high-fiving friends in his path.

Quinn looked up. "Oh no!" She eyed Sam as he smiled her way." "I can't!" She swung her gaze to Mercedes to find the brunette moving quickly down the hall. "Mercy!"

"Hey Quinn!" Sam stopped by the locker. "Why are you on the floor?"

"No reason!" She shot up. "How are you?"

"I'm good." He grinned & leaned closer, pecking her cheek. "& you?"

"Um- I'm fine."

He smiled again but she could only throw him a panicked smirk. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a little out of it."

"Oh!" Quinn's voice was unnaturally high. She tried to think of something to say that wasn't a request to meet her screwed up family but only squeaks flew past her lips.

"Are you asking him now?! In public?!" Marcy's voice filtered through Quinn's fog & she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

She turned to the girl & hissed. "Yes!"

"I have got to see this!" Marcy sat on the hallway floor across from Quinn's & Mercedes's lockers.

"Marce!" Quinn's jaw dropped. "How about a little help?!"

"Okay. I'll help." Marcy turned a blinding smile on Sam. "Run. Fast & far." She turned back to Quinn. "I helped."

Quinn rolled her eyes. Should have known! "Marcy!"

The junior cheerleader was unrepentant as she shrugged & crossed her legs. "I'm just telling the truth."

Sam slightly frowned in confusion. "What's going on? Who's she?"

"My little sister. Actually Mercedes's little sister. But she's like my little sister." Quinn rambled. "Marceline. She should be trying to help me but she's being a major pain!"

"Help you with what?" Sam was concerned. Quinn never rambled. That was his problem. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"That does seem like a fantastic way of telling a guy you want out." Marcy cracked.

Quinn shot her a death glare. "No! I have to do something & it's hard enough!"

"Hey guys!" Mal walked up. "What's going on? Why are you on the floor? You do remember you're terrified of dirt?" He directed the last two questions to Marcy.

Who turned up her nose at him. "Do you two hear something?"

"Would you get over it already?!" Quinn snapped. "He's apologized all week!"

"Yet I haven't heard a name!" Marcy crossed her arms & pouted.

"Maybe cuz he doesn't want that poor girl to die!"

"If it wasn't actually Second Day of School, I want to know. She won't die… fast." Marcy looked positively evil.

"I'm sorry I lied on you!" Mal pleaded. "I'm sorry I lied to you! I will never do it again. Just forgive me already!"

Marcy glared at him. "Sit down!" She pulled on his jeans leg. "Quinn's about to ask him."

Mal slid to the ground & looked at each member of the small group in shock. "Really? Now? In front of people?"

"I could if the peanut gallery would shut up!" Quinn said crossly.

What is going on?! Sam tried again. "What's the matter, Quinn? What do you have to ask me?"

Quinn took a deep breath. "Would you like to come over for dinner?"

Sam laughed as relief coursed through his veins. "Sure!" Why were they making this seem so bad?

"Quinn!" Marcy reprimanded. "You need to warn him!"

"It's not fair for him to walk in blind." Mal added.

"I liked it better when you two were on the outs!" Quinn snapped.

"Warn me about what?" Sam couldn't fight the smile on his face but the panic across theirs was giving it their best shot.

"Marcy sent us S.O.S. texts!" Mike doubled over as he tried to catch his breath.

"I told you to stop it!" Mercedes frowned at her sister. The final bell rang & the hall was officially cleared.

"She won't warn him." Marcy insisted. "I'm a bitch but even I'm not that cruel!"

Mike & Mercedes turned to Quinn, who blushed. "Not cool, Q!"

Quinn's face crumpled. "I can't do this!" She turned into Mercedes's arms & wailed. "I'd rather he leave now!"

"Where am I going?" Sam wanted to know.

"You don't know he's leaving!" Mike cut in. "Sam could stay!"

"Yeah." Mal chimed in. "You need to give him a chance."

Everyone looked at Marcy. "Uh- sure."

"Don't hurt yourself!" Mercedes snapped.

"Hey! I told you this was a bad idea but did anyone listen to me?! No! She's the one who told on herself!" Marcy huffed.

"Support, Marcy." Mike stressed. "Look it up!"

"Fine. I support you in telling them that -" Marcy stopped as a huge grin overtook her face.

"Oh no!" Quinn hid her face. "She's got an idea!"

"Wait! It's a good one!"

"It's always a good one, Marce!" Mike groaned & leaned against the lockers. "& we always end up in more trouble than it's worth!"

"Your lack of faith in me is disturbing!" Marcy eyed her family.

"We have faith that you're going to get us in trouble!" Mercedes rubbed circles into Quinn's back.

"Just hear me out!" Marcy stood. "You don't actually have to bring Sam. You never said what he looked like or anything. Just being some random kid. Pay him to say his name is Sam. No harm, no foul. You'll have Sam & the dads off your back."

Sam looked at Marcy before doubling over. "That's insane! Why would she do that?!"

Marcy glared at him. "Because she actually likes you, Salmon!"

"Marcy, I can't lie!" Quinn was actually thinking over the plan.

"Why not?! You've been doing it."

"What if someone asked the kid about us? Since we go to school with Sam & all?" Mike asked.

"Why are you such a buzz kill?!" Marcy snapped. "Fine! Drag Sam to the dinner from hell!"

"You're only bitter because the only person you'd want to protect from dinner is the person who's forced to go anyway!" He retaliated.

She stuck her tongue. "Shut up, Michael!"

Sam laughed again. He didn't understand these kids. When he moved to Lima during the summer, he spent most of it at football camp. He got to know a few people but school was completely foreign to him. Meeting Quinn & her glee friends was... different to say the least. Def. strange. He saw Mercedes, Mike & Quinn were even stranger but everyone just said that was how they were. You rarely saw the three without each other. Now Sam was thinking it was something more.

"Laugh it up, Ken Doll!" Marcy bit off. "Daddy's going to ask him if he was born that way. Uncle Russell will suggest plastic surgery & Uncle Michael will ask him if he's having an allergic reaction or something. & that's them being nice! Tell me I'm wrong!" She demanded.

The kids all looked at one another. Marcy was right & they knew it. Their fathers had zero tact & zero cares about acquiring any.

Sam shook his head. "I think you're exaggerating."

"I think we need to make a pool." Marcy replied dryly.

Mercedes gasped. "That's not nice!"

"I meant on how long it'll take him to get offended! Not if or when he'll leave Quinn like the spineless jellyfish I suspect is living under all that rock hard muscle." Marcy shook her head to concentrate.

Mal looked offended. "What was that?!"

"What was what?" She was honestly confused.

"All that rock hard muscle!" Mal mimicked her high voice.

Mike laughed. "Now you know how she feels!"

Marcy shot Mike an appreciative grin. "Thank you!"

"Is it bad that I want in?" Mercedes asked.

Quinn pulled away from her. "Yes!"

"I mean I think he'll make it the whole night!" Mercedes quickly amended.

"Really?"

Mercedes eyed Sam. "Maybe two hours."

Mike cracked up. "I give him one!"

"I don't really know him so I'm going to say the whole time." Mal pulled ten dollars from his jeans.

"Plus dessert?" Marcy questioned. "There's no way in hell! Fifty says five minutes in!"

"Easy money!" Mike declared. "I know Sam pretty well & he can at least roll with the punches for more than five minutes!"

"Please!" Mercedes pulled a face. "I have faith in Sam but Marcy is going to start in on Laura & Marc & even worse if Robert is there on time. Laura's going to say something about Sam. Then Daddy or Uncle Russell will." She looked at Sam with a clearly remorseful look on her face. "I say half an hour."

"What happened to two?!"

"Stop frontin, Q-Card!" Marcy eyed her. "How long do you think he'll last?!"

Everyone looked at her. She gulped. "One hundred says the whole time!"

"You liar!" Marcy started but Mike cut her off.

"Like I said; easy money!"

Mercedes, Quinn & Marcy riffled through their purses for money while the Chang brothers searched their wallets. Soon they had five hundred dollars & Marcy took the pot.

"Why do you get to keep it?" Quinn demanded.

"I'm not." Marcy replied easily. "He is." She handed it to Sam. "The moment you get offended, you hand the pot to the winner."

"What about the others?" Mercedes asked.

"I can get Maddie's." Mal volunteered. "She's a diehard romantic so she'll be rooting for you." He said to Sam.

"Thanks?" Sam was super confused & a little in awe with how they pulled out $500 without blinking.

"I'm seeing Lady & Marky Mark tonight so they can place their bets then. I can find Sam tomorrow & Mal & I can give him the money." Marcy said.

"We need to get to practice before Coach Sylvester skins us." Mercedes reminded the girls.

"& we need to hightail it to football practice." Mike added.

"But wait." Marcy stalled. She was a little confused by something. "If you're so sure bringing significant others to Family Dinner is such a good idea, why don't you bring Puck?"

"You're dating Puck?" Mal asked.

Mike had turned to stone & Quinn looked anywhere but at him. Sam watched Mercedes's face turn a few colors before settling on a sickly green.

I knew I forgot to swear her to secrecy! "Um… I-"

"Of course they are." Marcy supplied, oblivious to the tension. "They went out on Saturday & she wore this amazing dress & he gave her this hickey that's in the shape of a poodle! The boy has talent."

Why is she always so damn honest?! Mercedes gazed at Mike who looked ready to yell.

He didn't disappoint. "What did I tell you about Puck?!"

Mercedes & Quinn winced as Sam, Mal & Marcy blinked in surprise.

"I know!" Mercedes started.

"Obviously you don't!" Mike sniped. "I told you to stay away from him!"

"Why?" Marcy's face scrunched up in confusion, trying to understand her brother's ire. Her face cleared in self-preservation when he turned a glare on her so hot it could have melted the polar ice caps. "Or I can mind my own business!"

She & Mal took a giant step away from the dancer.

"What's so wrong with Puck dating Mercedes?" Sam ventured, tentatively.

"Look, you're a nice guy. That's why I let you near Quinn but Puck has a habit of hooking up with girls & never calling them back." Mike scowled. "He also has a bad habit of telling everything, too. I'm not letting that happen to my sister!"

"It won't!" Mercedes swore. "Puck's super sweet to me!" Mike scoffed. "He is! Did you know he wanted to walk me to the door? What guy does that?!"

"The kind that wants to walk through it!" Mike was not budging.

"Mike!" Quinn bit off. "Puck is your friend. Why can't you see he's not going to do- he talks about it after?" She finally heard that tidbit.

Mike nodded once. Mal ran a hand over his face sheepishly. Sam rubbed the back of his neck.

"We do the same!" Marcy spoke up. "& so do you. Stop judging him because of his past mistakes & let Mercy live! I bet if anyone can fix whatever his problem is, it's her."

They all agreed with that sentiment.

"We only wanted Mercy to be happy, Mike. Don't you?" Quinn pleaded.

"Of course I do." Mike sighed then squinted. "We?"

The scene was completely similar to the one at the steakhouse the previous week. Mercedes facepalmed while Quinn wished she could melt into the floor. The others were confused again.

"Santana, Brittany, Kurt & I-" Quinn began.

An unholy light entered Mike's eyes. "& Tina?"

"Who's Tina?" Mal whispered to Marcy.

"She's in glee with us." Sam whispered back.

Quinn looked ashamed. She nodded though. "We wanted Puck to be able to spend time with her but we had to distract you…"

Mike glanced at Mercedes, hurt & pain clearly etched into his features. "How could you?"

Mercedes started to cry. "It's not- that's not the whole- she likes you, Mike! I promise!"

"Enough to lie to my face?" He nodded sadly before he slowly walked away.

"What the hell is going on?!" Marcy was totally bewildered.

"We asked Tina to distract Mike so that Puck could ask out Mercedes. He told Santana he really liked her. We also were trying to hook Tina up with Mike because she really likes him-"

"& he has a mad crush on her." Mal stated, understanding.

"So you tricked those two into spending time together because they like each other but refuse to act on it as a way to get Mike out of the way for Mercy to date Puck who likes her back?" Marcy confirmed, looking more than a little put out.

With tears freely falling down their cheeks, Mercedes & Quinn nodded. They clutched each other in a show of support but obviously it wasn't going well.

"We should get to practice before he finds Puck." Mal suggested to Sam.

He nodded. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked Quinn. She nodded & he took a hand to press a kiss to it. "I'll see you at glee."

"Come on guys." Marcy's voice was soft.

"I'm sorry, Mercedes." Sam waved as he & Mal took off down the hall.

"So am I."

M&Q&M

At glee practice, tensions were high. Mike refused to speak to any of the girls, Kurt or Puck. He sat in a tightly wound bubble by himself, seething.

Quinn & Mercedes were still crying. They were much quieter now but the tears continued to flow. The girls & Kurt tried to console them but they hadn't been able to pry what was wrong from them yet so they were still confused.

Artie, Finn & Mr. Shue were beyond confused & didn't acknowledge the intense situation out of a strong fear of making it worse.

Puck didn't understand the tears & wanted to console Mercedes but because of his promise, he simply sat there, feeling useless. He also suspected Mike was angry at him. His Asian bro kept throwing dark looks his way.

Sam was completely out of his comfort zone. This situation was new to him but he figured as the only guy besides Mike who knew what was going on, he needed to fix it. It had only been fifteen minutes & it was already unbearable.

Mr. Shue was droning on about their performances that week when Sam couldn't take it anymore. He stood. "Can we just talk about this?!"

Mr. Shue, Artie & Finn shook their heads. They were too terrified to learn the problem. The girls & Kurt nodded though. They wanted to know what was going on.

"Let's talk about betrayal!" Mike snapped.

"Mike, they were just trying to help!" Sam protested.

"I didn't ask for help!"

"Yes, you did!" Mercedes stopped crying long enough to shout.

"Fine. I didn't ask for this kind of help!" Mike tried to calm himself.

"What were you going to do? Wait your entire life to make a move?" Quinn defended.

"Can you please forgive them?" Sam pleaded.

"Forgive them for what?" Tina asked.

"For you." Mike growled.

"He knows." Mercedes told her.

Santana, Brittany & Kurt winced. Tina gasped. "Mike-"

"Don't talk to me!"

Everyone was on edge. Mike never yelled. Especially not to or around women.

"Bro, that's a little harsh." Puck chided. Mike threw him a look so dark the boy lifted his eyebrows. "Did I do something? Are you mad at me?"

"Did you do something?!" Mike mocked him. "You know what you did!"

Puck was seriously confused. "But I don't!"

"Mike, it was all our faults!" Santana swore, rubbing Tina's back as she cried. "We weren't trying to hurt you."

"You're our friend, too!" Brittany added.

"It doesn't feel like it!" Mike paced. "How long has this been going on?!"

"How long has what been going on?" Rachel asked.

"Just a week." Kurt answered Mike.

"So Friday was just a joke to you?" Mike guessed, his eyes flat as he gazed at Tina.

"No!"

"Are you & Tina together?" Artie asked, trying to piece together the puzzled mess.

"Never." Mike muttered.

"Don't be like that Mike!" Sam frowned. "Mercedes said she really likes you."

"What?!" Puck cried, misunderstanding.

"Didn't you hear, Sam?" Mike was in a full rage now. "She was just distracting me while my best friends lied to my face!"

"We technically didn't lie." Mercedes slipped in. "We just never said anything."

"I bet if you would have told Marcy it was a secret, I wouldn't have found out until he told the whole school?" Mike folded his arms.

"That's hurtful, Mike!" Quinn frowned.

"Don't you think you would have heard by now anyway? He didn't say anything because I asked him not to! He didn't understand but he did it for me. Doesn't that tell you something?!" Mercedes wiped away her tears.

Puck understood now. Mike knew about them. He turned to Mike. "I didn't want to lie to you, man. But she said you needed some time."

"Out of all the girls in this school!" Mike thundered. "Out of every single one, most of whom you've already gone through, you pick my sister! Why?!"

"It's not like that!" Puck defended himself. "I've always liked Mama but I didn't think she'd like me back. I wouldn't hurt her."

Mike sneered. "Sure."

"You gotta believe me!" Puck swore. "I would never hurt her! I have a little sister. I know what it's like."

"Even if you don't forgive us, please don't take it out on Tina." Mercedes pleaded. "We were trying to get you guys together honestly. You're both so stubborn that you needed a push!"

Finn, who'd been quiet the entire time, suggested a break. To cool the air as it would seem. Mr. Shue readily agreed, allowing them ten minutes.

M&Q&M

Rachel held Finn's hand. "We can't focus on Sectionals with all this drama!"

"Rachel!" He admonished. "Our friends are going through something. We need to be supportive!"

Rachel bit her lip.

M&Q&M

Tina sidled up to Mike, who turned from her. "Please just listen to me!"

"I thought-" Mike stopped. "It doesn't matter what I thought."

"Yes, it does!" Tina tried to stop the tears but she felt like her heart was breaking. "I like you, Mike. I didn't know how to deal with it so I ignored it. When the girls came up with this idea, I was so happy because I'd get to spend time with you.

But I was also sad because I knew it wasn't real & you probably didn't want to be anywhere near me. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to!"

His face softened. "I like you, too. I asked Mercy to see if you liked me cuz I was too scared to make a move."

Tina was afraid to ask but she had to. "Am I forgiven?"

"Only if you'll go out with me this Friday."

Tina grinned. "Yeah!"

"Good."

"Wait. What about your movie night with Quinn & Mercedes?"

His face hardened. "No."

Tina wanted to argue for them but she didn't want to be on the outs with Mike again so soon after he forgave her. She kept her mouth shut & nodded.

M&Q&M

Brittany sat on Artie's lap. "I feel so guilty!"

Artie soothed her. "It's okay, baby. Mike will get over it & we'll all go out on some big couple date."

"Promise?"

"I promise!"

M&Q&M

Sam had his arms wrapped around Quinn. "Please stop crying."

"I can't." She sobbed. "Everything's just so messed up! Family Dinner will be disaster. You won't ever speak to me again. Mercy's hurt. Mike hates me!"

"Dinner will be fine. I'm not going anywhere. Puck has Mercedes. Mike loves you. He's just being a little hotheaded. & he's hurt." Sam sat & pulled Quinn into his lap. "He'll get over it."

Quinn nodded against his shoulder. "This is too hard."

Sam froze. Did she mean the relationship? He eased as she massaged the muscles of his shoulders before relaxing against him.

M&Q&M

"It seems like everyone is calming down." Mr. Shue noted to Santana & Brad, the piano player.

Brad nodded.

Santana tried not to sear a hole through Rachel as she watched the two holding hands & whispering back & forth. "Yep."

"I still don't understand what's going on." Mr. Shue continued.

Santana sighed. "Tina & Mike like each other but neither would admit it. Puck & Mercedes like each other but Mike doesn't want Puck to hurt Mercedes so he doesn't want them together. We asked Tina to hang out with Mike so he wouldn't notice Mercedes hanging out with Puck. In the end, both couples were supposed to be together."

"That's very complicated." Mr. Shue looked remorseful. "Poor Mike."

Santana was about to refute that particular claim when Finn wrapped his arm around Rachel. She stifled a cry & asked to be excused to the restroom.

Mr. Shue nodded & she fled the room to cry.

M&Q&M

Puck was leaning against the lockers with Mercedes in his arms. She hadn't stopped crying since leaving the choir room. "You're going to make yourself sick, Mama."

"Good!" She shouted into his chest. "I deserve it! I lied to him. I tricked him. He's never going to trust me again."

"Yes, he will." Puck rubbed her back. "You were right; he just needs a little time."

"I don't know how to handle him angry with me!" She wailed. "The longest he's ever been mad was four hours!"

He winced. That wasn't a lot of time. "Maybe we can go on a double date with Quinn & Sam?"

She peered up at him, her tears making him blurry. "Really?"

He nodded. Finally! "Yeah. Ask them about this Saturday. It'll take your mind off everything."

She calmed down some. "You're amazing, you know that?"

He leaned down & pressed his mouth to hers. "I just hate seeing you cry."

"You're so sweet & nice & I'm just a crybaby!"

He wiped away her tears. "Truth is; I'm a dick. I know you're going to need a lot of patience with me but the fact that you're taking a chance on me, makes me want to take on the world, just so I can see that beautiful smile."

She smiled that sunny smile he was so over the moon for. "You're such a poet!"

"Keep it under your hat. I still gotta a rep to protect." He chuckled until he saw the light dim in her eyes. "But I refuse to let it affect our relationship."

She leaned her head on his chest again when she heard the classroom door open. Santana came barreling past. "Was that Tana?"

Puck frowned in confusion. "I think so."

"I'll go see. You can go back to class." Mercedes smiled shyly at him.

He pinched her chin. "I'll save you a seat."

She took off while she could. Going into the bathroom, she found Santana in the last stall, bawling her pretty brown eyes out.

"What's wrong, Tana?" Mercedes wrapped her arms around her friend.

"It's nothing." Santana tried to wipe away her tears but fresh ones replaced them immediately.

"This isn't nothing." Mercedes was concerned. Santana cried less than she did! "Honey, talk to me!"

"Everyone was partnered up & I couldn't help looking at him." Santana heaved. "& he was wrapped around her!"

"Oh, sweetie!" Mercedes rubbed her back. "He's just confused. After Quinn, he's trying not to get hurt by dating someone he doesn't even really like. & I know Rachel's not over Jesse."

"Who cares about that Hobbit?!" Santana sniped.

"Jesse does." A plan formed. "I have an idea."

M&Q&M

Santana & Mercedes walked back into the choir room, arms linked. They both wore sunny smiles like nothing was wrong.

Mr. Shue nodded when they sat. "I think this week's lesson may need to be extended. A lot of you are feeling hurt or betrayed. Sad or lost & we need to dig through all of that in order to heal. Tomorrow I expect at least a few of you to have something prepared."

Brad nodded towards the clock that signaled the end of the meeting.

Mr. Shue clapped his hands once. "Okay. That's all for today."

Mercedes reached for Quinn. "Girls meeting at my house. No Rachel!"

Quinn nodded & sent out the text.

Marcy ran into the room as everyone began gathering their stuff. "I came as soon as I could!"

Mercedes looked at Quinn. "I didn't know you were texting her. We'll need her though."

"What?" Quinn was confused. "I didn't."

Marcy cocked her head. "I meant from IS practice. I came to apologize for earlier."

"Hello." Mr. Shue walked over, hand extended. "I'm Mr. Shuester. Do you want to try out for glee?"

Marcy eyed him. "I don't touch people. & no. I'm here for my sisters."

Mr. Shue dropped his hand & smile. "Oh. Well we're right here if you ever want to change your mind."

"Yeah, I'm a dancer; not a singer." Marcy deflected.

"So are Brittany & Mike. Think about it." Mr. Shue left for his office.

Marcy rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm really sorry! I didn't know it was a secret."

"You apologized all through Cheerios practice!" Mercedes reminded her. "I forgive you!"

Marcy ran & jumped on Mike's back. "I'm sorry Mikey!"

The class looked on as he turned in her arms & picked her up. "It's not your fault, Moppet. You only told the truth."

"Is everything alright now?" She asked after he set her on her feet. "No more yelling?"

"No more yelling." He promised.

"Okay, I talked to Lady & Marc. They want in. Actually Robert does, too." Marcy addressed the entire room because the family was scattered.

"Really?" Mercedes wrinkled her nose. "Why?!"

Marcy shrugged. "He said Sam would be offended right away but won't say anything. He put in $400 to prove it."

"Does that mean that the rate is raised or is it just added to the pot?" Sam asked. "I'm not really comfortable holding all this money."

"Just leave it at home until Sunday." Mike suggested.

"We can raise it." Quinn said. "I mean if he's so sure Sam can stick it out, I say we should."

Mercedes, Mike & Marcy agreed. The girls reached for their purses again while Mike went to his back pocket. They each pulled out $300 more.

Marcy collected it & gave it to Sam. "So what are the terms exactly?" She went to the white board & took a marker.

"I said an hour." Mike crossed his arms.

"The entire three hours." Quinn took Sam's arm.

Marcy snickered & wrote the names & times on the board. "You freakin liar!"

"What is going on?" Rachel asked.

"I think I'm going back to two hours." Mercedes decided.

"Thank you Mercedes!" Sam smiled.

"Is anyone going to tell us why Sam has a ton of cash in his pocket?" Puck wanted to know.

Marcy sighed. "It's for a pool. Sam's coming to Family Dinner & we think he'll run within ten minutes."

"Not all of us!" Quinn protested.

"Only because you refuse to admit it!"

"I have faith in him!"

"I have faith that those football trained legs of his will carry him far." Marcy smirked.

"When will I be able to go to Family Dinner?" Tina asked.

"Never!" Mike, Marcy, Mercedes & Quinn all yelled.

Tina was shocked. "Why not?"

"Because Quinn told on herself. That's why Sam's invited." Marcy explained. "Mike's gonna keep you a secret until after the wedding!"

"What wedding?" Kurt asked.

"Their wedding!" Marcy pointed to the couple. "That's if he doesn't mess up & let Maddie see her."

"Then she'll be in for it." Mercedes muttered.

"& I would never do that to you." Mike promised.

"That's insane!" Artie pulled a face. "I know you guys are close & all but you're making it sound like you're part of some huge sinister cult family."

"I thought people willingly joined cults?" Marcy looked at Mike for confirmation.

He nodded. "That's why we're not one. But other than that; we seem to be."

"I want to go." Puck said.

Mercedes's eyes grew. "No!"

"That's a great idea!" Mike grinned.

"Mike&Ike, I know you're angry but please don't tell!" Mercedes pleaded.

"It's only fair." Mike shrugged. "Sam has to go. Why not Puck?"

"I think Mike's right." Marcy added. Mercedes & Quinn recoiled. "No, cuz you said he was a good guy so maybe. Nevermind."

"I want to go." Puck repeated. "When is it?"

"Sunday." Quinn answered. "But you have to be invited."

"Which means someone has to tell." Mike sat on the piano.

"Isn't this a bit ridiculous?" Finn questioned. "Is your family the mob?"

"I like that!" Marcy grinned. "Santana, your dad is friends with the dads. Does he ever talk about them?"

Santana nodded. "It is a little different. When they hang out, he usually likes to stay close to Mr. Hummel."

"Because?" Marcy goaded.

"Because they're kinda mean." Santana shrugged. "But my dad's extremely nice so…"

"No, he's normal!" Mike snapped. "I think Maddie should tell."

"Why Maddie?" Quinn frowned in confusion.

"Because then I'm not being spiteful & it'll look innocent. It'll be innocent. Like when Marcy told me."

"Can we not bring that back up?" The girl in question colored.

"As long as Laura tells about Tina." Mercedes sniped.

Mike recoiled. "What did Tina do to you?!"

"That's not fair! We have to bring our boyfriends but Tina gets to be safe?!" Quinn cried.

Mike frowned deeply. "Fine. I'll drop hints to Maddie for the rest of the week. She'll bring it up Sunday. Puck will get invited & someone will tell Laura so she can tell when Puck is up. Then Tina will be invited."

"Will we have pools for those two?" Marcy asked. "Cuz I say Tina, the moment we step foot inside, will cry."

"Marcy!" Quinn admonished while Sam & Mike cracked up.

"What?! It's true!" Marcy swore. "Tina's as sweet as sugar. If the dads don't say anything, the moms will!"

Mercedes nodded. "Aunt Jeanette will not be happy!"

"I think we should wait & see how Sam does." Mike decided. "So let's continue. How much time did the others give him?"

Marcy returned to the board. "Laura said fifteen minutes. Marc said ten. Mal is stuck on the whole time. We don't know about Maddie yet."

"Is she going to put in $400?" Sam asked. "Isn't she ten?"

Mike nodded. "She'll have it. She doesn't spend her allowance on much. She's not into shopping like Laura, Quinn & Mercedes."

"How much is her allowance?!" Finn asked.

"$500 a week." Mercedes replied, nonchalantly.

"$500 a week?!" The entire club's collective mouths dropped.

"What about you guys?" Artie's eyes bulged.

"We get a thousand. Marc & Laura get $5000." Quinn answered.

"A week?" Brittany squeaked. Even she knew that was ridiculous.

Marcy nodded. "Once we get to elementary school; around second grade, it's $500. Once we hit thirteen, it's doubled. Once we graduate, it's five grand."

Puck sat down. "Isn't that a lot?"

Mike shrugged. "Maybe. We don't know. We get paid every Sunday after Family Brunch."

"Why do you have so much on you on a Wednesday?" Sam wanted to know.

"Quinn & I were going shopping." Mercedes told him.

"Mal & I are going to take Maddie to some kiddie concert." Mike explained.

"I just haven't been to the bank yet." Marcy said.

"That's crazy!" Finn breathed. "Burt gives us a lot but nothing like that!"

The kids simply shrugged. "Old money plus new money makes a lot of money."

"& I thought I was spoiled!" Rachel whispered.

"We're not spoiled!" Marcy frowned. "Are we?"

"No." Mike reassured her. "We know how to work. We have a good work ethic. We can't help that our parents make a lot of money."

"We don't you guys flaunt it?" Artie asked. "You guys are totally modest for millionaires."

"Money doesn't make you happy." Quinn told him.

Sam tugged on her jacket. "I just thought of something. Why don't you let me drop you off at home?"

"She wouldn't let you do it either?" Puck questioned.

Sam shook his head & turned to Quinn for an answer.

Mercedes gave it instead. "It doesn't matter now but we don't want anyone to see you."

"Cuz you're ashamed?" Sam looked hurt.

"No!" She waved her hands. "It's cuz we didn't want our parents to know."

"Is that why you told me to be quiet then snuck me out last Friday?" Tina demanded.

"Is that why you wanted to see a movie in the Heights?!" Puck's jaw dropped.

"I'm hearing a lot of shame." Sam pouted.

"Guys." Marcy pinched the bridge of her nose. "We're trying to tell you in the kindest way that our family is crazy. We don't like exposing that part of ourselves so we keep it quiet. They really like you three so they're going to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work, which involves hiding you from the adults. They're protecting you."

"I don't need protecting!" Tina declared.

Mike side-eyed her. "Sweet as sugar."

"Tina may be nice but I'm Puckzilla, the original badass. I don't need a bunch of girls protecting me."

"Daddy will rip out all of your teeth." Mercedes stated without a hint of mirth.

"You're just trying to scare us!" Sam snapped.

"Is it working?" Marcy laughed. "Point is; you're all in for it. Good luck!"

"Why don't you bring someone?" Kurt asked her.

"I do. Every week."

"Then it can't be that bad!" Puck smirked.

"Yes, it can." Mike rolled his eyes. "It's Mal."

"What's up with you guys anyway?" Santana leaned forward. "You guys are always in the janitor's closet but you never hold hands or anything."

"Nothing's up." Marcy avoided.

"Where is he anyway?" Mike questioned.

Marcy shrugged. "Probably with SDoS."

"You refuse to let that go, don't you?!" Quinn laughed.

"I can let it go." Marcy crossed her arms. "I have. I don't care!"

"Sure." Mike stood. "Well I have to go so I can get Maddie ready." He turned to Tina. "I'll call you."

Puck came forward & held out his hand. Mike growled at it & left the room. "So he's still angry."

The rest of the room nodded. "Yep."

"Come on, Finn." Rachel reached for his hand. "I want to practice for tomorrow's lesson."

Finn bid the room goodbye & followed his girlfriend.

Kurt & Tina linked arms. "I guess the Rachel-less girls meeting will be easier to explain."

Santana held out her pinky for Brittany, who kissed Artie. "The less time around that Hobbit, the better I feel."

Brittany took Santana's pinky. "Text me, baby."

Artie winked at her. "You knows it!"

Sam gave Quinn a kiss. "I'll call you tonight."

"Okay." She stood. "Oh! Maddie said she was friends with Stevie."

"He mentioned a new friend." Sam shrugged. "I'll talk to him more tonight."

Mercedes kissed Puck. "You don't have to do this."

"I want to." He kissed her back. "I want to be with you."

She smiled. "I'll text you every time I try on something."

"Promise?"

He looked so hopeful, she laughed. "Promise."

Quinn took her hand. "Wanna come with, Marce?"

"Where?" Marcy finished erasing the whiteboard.

"The mall then home." Mercedes said.

"I hate the mall." Marcy whined.

"Come on, girl!" Kurt demanded. "I saw a skirt last week that would go great against those gorgeous legs of yours!"

"Don't you have a boyfriend to bug?!" She pouted.

"I texted him after all the drama that went down. I'll see him tomorrow." Kurt said. "You're coming! Bring your body on!"

She sighed heavily. "Fine!"

Artie, Puck & Sam chuckled as Mercedes & Quinn (holding hands) led Santana & Brittany (holding pinkies) & Tina & Kurt (arms linked) out of the room with a tantrum throwing Marcy following behind.

"So how much is that pot?" Artie asked.

Sam shrugged & took the money from his pocket. "Right now I have $1700. After tomorrow it'll be $3600."

Puck whistled low. "That's a lot of dough!"

"What are the terms?" Artie wheeled to the front of the room.

"How long it'll take for me to be offended." Sam answered. "I think it's crazy. I'm a pretty laid back guy."

M&Q&M

"What do you say, Maddie?" Mike asked.

"Um…" The little girl scrunched up her nose. "Ok. I say half an hour."

"Yes!" Mike threw his hands up while Mal groaned.

I wanted to end it here on a somewhat joyous note. Until next time!