Hell to the No

by NeneJPhilly

If you can't love your family, who can you love? {Pretty dark fic so if you have any concerns or triggers, you may want to stay away from it. Minimal cursing & smut would be slightly clean (I'm picky about my wording). Read with an open mind & discretion.} A lot off this is based off personal experience so remember; open mind, discretion. (COMPLETE)

7. Prepare for War

I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to upload. Things have been going so downhill since my grandmother passed last month. I work a lot so I'm updating once a day for the next three days to make up for it. Also, this chapter is going to be very long because of technical difficulties.

NJPNJPNJP

"How is she?" Santana asked Mercedes the next morning in the parking lot. She & Quinn just arrived & their friends were waiting.

"She'll be here soon." Quinn replied. "Mike&Ike wanted to drive her & Mal won't leave her side."

"I couldn't leave my dad all night." Kurt admitted. "I literally couldn't let him go."

Finn nodded. "He didn't really understand why we were so sad or clingy cuz Kurt wanted to explain but he was crying too hard."

"Did better than me." Sam muttered. "I actually climbed into my dad's lap like my little sister does."

"Me too." Santana & Brittany said in unison.

"I made my parents sleep in my room with me." Artie said in a dejected voice.

"So did I." Rachel agreed. "My dads brought me so much water in the glass Shelby gave me last year that I will never have to worry about being dehydrated again."

"I made my dad stay up & tell me bedtime stories in Korean." Tina added. "Stories I made him stop telling once I reached puberty."

Puck remained silent. He didn't know where his dad was & was ecstatic over the fact. He also couldn't care less about his mother. But he did hold his sister all night & whisper promises to her in her sleep.

Mike's car pulled up & they waited for the teens to climb out. Their eyes immediately flew to Marcy, who looked the same. She wore her Cheerios uniform & had all her things for the day. The only thing that was different was that she wore sunglasses & her long hair hung past her shoulders.

The trio walked to the group. Everyone started talking at once until Marcy made Mal whistle for her to get their attention.

"Guys. Please. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I just want to move on." Marcy pleaded.

"But-" Tina started.

Marcy shook her head. "No. I want you guys to pretend I never told you. You were all so happy before I joined. Maybe I should quit."

"No!" Everyone shouted.

"Then you have to promise to let it go."

Though they grumbled, everyone eventually promised. They entered the high school & went their separate ways.

M&Q&M

"I changed my mind." Marcy told Mike before his lunch period.

"About?"

"Someone else has to pick him up. I had a different name & I want to play this differently. I already made arrangements."

"Okay. I'll see you in glee."

M&Q&M

Everyone felt like having fun that night to unwind from the previous day's drama. Too bad Rachel couldn't find anyone to unwind with!

She had asked Finn, who said he was having a bros night at Artie's. The girls all had plans. She sidled up to Marcy. She never asked her. "Hey."

"Hi?" Marcy eyed her warily.

"I know we haven't exactly gotten off on the right foot but in an effort to extend a welcoming olive branch to our newest member, I say you & I should make plans for this evening." Rachel was proud of herself.

"I can't." Marcy lied. "I have to talk to Mr. Shue then I have plans with a friend."

"Oh?" Rachel was disappointed for a moment. "What are you talking to Mr. Shue about?"

"Solos." Marcy said breezily. When Rachel's face froze, Marcy patted herself on the back internally. She'd heard tales of Rachel's legendary spotlight hogging ways & planned to exploit the trait.

"Are you sure there are enough songs to capture your particular vocal range?" Rachel asked.

"That's why I'm talking to Mr. Shue." Marcy knew Rachel was hooked & hoped the girl was as predictable as she seemed. She wanted her to stay after to be nosy.

"Okay, guys!" Mr. Shue raised his hands. "Rehearsal's over. Go live your lives!"

The room cleared out fast & soon only Rachel, Marcy & Mr. Shue remained. "Yes, girls?"

"I wanted to speak with you privately, Mr. Shue." Marcy told him.

He nodded. "Follow me to my office." He looked back at Rachel. "Did you need something, Rachel?"

She looked startled. "Oh! No. I just wanted to practice something."

"Okay. Just let me know when you're finished." He led Marcy to his office.

At exactly 3:45, Jesse St. James walked through the choir room door as Rachel tried her best to eavesdrop on the conversation.

He snuck up behind her & whispered in her ear. "It's not polite to eavesdrop."

Rachel squeaked & jumped away from the door. "Jesse?!"

"The one & only!" Jesse stretched his arms out for a hug.

Thank goodness! Marcy refrained from rolling her eyes. The first time her amazing hearing paid off & she had to listen to a blowhard & a prima-donna.

Rachel jumped into his embrace before composing herself. "What are you doing here?"

"Someone named Michelle James called & said you needed saving from these talentless wannabes."

Figures, he'd get the name wrong! Marcy nodded like she was paying attention to Mr. Shue.

"I do believe my input has been ignored more so than usual but we've had an emotional week." Rachel told him as she sat at the piano.

Crap! Marcy frowned slightly. I don't think I can hear from here if they're whispering.

"Are you okay?" Mr. Shue asked.

"Yeah. It's just a little stuffy in here." Marcy lied. I need to break this habit soon. "Can I open the door?"

"Sure!"

She cracked the door & thankfully the pair's voices were able to float to her. Barely.

"Mercedes's younger sister joined Friday. She's good enough but she lacks stage presence & practice. She delivered heartbreaking news yesterday & we ended up losing an afternoon of rehearsal." Rachel complained.

"Really? Why?" Jesse scoffed. "Did her heart actually break?"

"Yes." Rachel replied softly.

Marcy could imagine his eyebrows lifting. "What do you mean?"

"Her father pulled her from her dance class."

"They must mean a lot to her." Jesse let out a sigh. "Is she any good?"

"Very. I hate to admit it but she's better than me."

"Heartbreaking, indeed!"

"Yes. She's staying strong but she wants us to focus on other things. I cannot agree more & thought we should turn our attention to Sectionals." Rachel huffed as her frustration grew. "Yet no one listened to my ideas! I thought maybe we all simply needed a break from our emotions but no one wanted to spend the evening with me!"

Marcy could practically see the girl's pout.

"I even asked Marceline but she's in there right now, plotting to steal my solos! Everyone's so taken with her! Even Finn." She finished bitterly.

"Are you two dating?" Jesse asked & Marcy mentally fist pumped.

"Yes, we are. Our relationship has grown stale however. We don't seem to have the same spark. Perhaps I've outgrown him?"

"I believe you outgrew him the moment you met!"

"Do you think these songs will work for you?" Mr. Shue shoved music sheets in Marcy's face, completely wrecking her concentration.

"Uh- yeah. I can practice this weekend." She made a mental note to actually practice. "I'll let you know."

Mr. Shue went through a few more scores, rambling about duets & such but Marcy tuned him out.

"We understand each other." Jesse was saying. "We've always had many things in common. Our talent. Our drive. Our determination. You need someone who's going to strive for the best & make sure you get there as well."

"But I don't want to hurt Finn." Marcy was glad to hear the girl say. "He's really sweet. He has a heart of gold & it's not his fault that we should probably be better off as friends & teammates than love interests."

"& it's not your fault that we belong together." Jesse stopped talking & Marcy became worried. She couldn't see what they were doing from this angle.

What the hell are they doing?! she frowned. They can't be kissing, can they?! That'll mess up everything! She popped up, muttering about being thirsty & burst out of the office.

Rachel & Jesse broke apart but it was obvious they hadn't kissed. Yet.

"Marcy!" Rachel squeaked. "This is Jesse St. James. He was a part of the New Directions last year. He's a freshman at UCLA currently."

Jesse extended a hand.

Marcy was glad she had disguised her voice on the phone & ignored his hand. "I don't touch people. Germs." He dropped his hand in surprise as she turned to Rachel. "Mr. Shue was thinking about duets that would compliment my voice. I was thinking he should find one that suited the both of our voices."

Rachel's eyes widened. "Really? That's so sweet of you."

Marcy blinked. Was it? "You can talk to him now if you like."

Rachel nodded & excused herself.

Marcy eyed Jesse. He's not much to look at.

"I didn't catch your name." He cleared his throat.

"I didn't throw it." Marcy knew she was being rude but she didn't want Rachel to actually cheat on Finn.

"Right." Jesse was out of his element. Usually girls swooned at his feet. This one completely did not care.

"Thank you, Mr. Shue. I'm sure Marceline & I will do wonderfully." Rachel tittered as she & the curly haired teacher entered the class.

"Okay, guys." Mr. Shue collected his things. "I have to lock up."

"Can I do it?" Marcy asked. "I've always wanted to lock up a classroom like a real teacher."

"Sure." Mr. Shue handed her the keys.

Rachel & Marcy grabbed their belongings. Jesse turned off the lights. Rachel, Mr. Shue & Jesse waited in the hall while Marcy ripped off a piece of tape she found on Mr. Shue's desk.

As she walked out, she placed it over the locks & pretended to lock the door. She fake checked it for show then went to the other door & locked it for real.

Walking back, she handed Mr. Shue his keys. "That was so cool!"

Mr. Shue smiled brightly as he left. As Rachel turned to follow, Marcy stopped her. "I was thinking. About your offer? I can reschedule my previous plans. If we want to duet, we should probably spend more time together." Somebody shoot me!

Rachel clapped in excitement. Maybe she'll be my protégé?! "I would love to! I'll call you tomorrow, Jesse."

"Okay." The boy eyed her in disbelief. "I'll be waiting." He walked out of the building.

"I'll call one of my dads & ask them to pick us up." Rachel squealed. "We can watch musicals & dress up & do each others hair!"

Does she think I'm a Barbie?!

M&Q&M

Mike bumped into Marcy for the third time.

"Look alive, Mike&Ike!" Marcy snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He shook himself. "Sorry. I don't know why you waited until three in the morning to drag me out here!"

"I don't want anyone to see us. Someone could think we were up to no good."

"We're not." He reminded her.

"Yes, we are!" She insisted. They had agreed to meet when the coast was clear. He snuck out of Artie's & picked her up at Rachel's to drive them to the high school. Now that they were there, Mike wanted to doze off!

"I'm just glad the janitor never locks the auditorium door or we'd be going to jail!"

She smirked. "I highly doubt that."

They reached the choir room & she tried the door handle. It opened without any trouble.

"Have I called you an evil genius today?"

She chuckled. "It's too early." She flipped on a light switch & moved to the hidden camera. She checked it & saw it went off exactly on time; five minutes after they locked up.

Mike moved to retrieve the audio recording. "Got it."

"Play it back to make sure."

Mike did as requested & voices filled the room. They heard when the class first emptied all the way to when Marcy expressed a desire to lock up.

"I need the envelope." Marcy stuck her hand out.

Mike pulled it from his bag. "You are so CIA."

"You're the ninja!" She shot back. "I need the water & marker, too."

Mike grabbed the bottle of water from the bag & a marker from the whiteboard.

She quickly wrote c/o Finn Hudson on the large brown envelope & tossed in both tapes. Opening the water bottle, she carefully poured water into the cap & spread it over the adhesive. Using the bottom of the marker, she made sure it covered what was necessary & folded the flap.

Mike took back the bottle & recapping it, tossed it inside the bag. He returned the marker & wiped up the excess water from the piano.

Once Marcy was sure the envelope was completely sealed, she looked at him. "Is that everything?"

"Grab the camera?" She nodded. He moved to get the camera & crammed it inside the bag, too. "Ready?"

She nodded & ripped the tape from the door. She threw it away & said, "To the Hudmels!"

Mike turned off the light & shut the door behind them.

They made their way to the auditorium where they retraced their steps to Mike's car. Mike drove to Finn's home, where Marcy hopped out a few houses down. She jogged to the porch & left the envelope in the mailbox. Mike drove past the house & she caught up to him & jumped in the car.

"Phase Four: Complete!" Marcy nodded. "As much as I think that girl is a freak, take me back to her house so I can get some sleep!"

M&Q&M

"Marcy?" Finn was confused. Why was Mercedes's little sister on his doorstep?

"Hey, Finn." Marcy smiled wanly at the tall boy. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah." He moved aside to let her enter his house. "Come in."

"I know you received a package today."

"Oh?" His eyebrow swung up before he remembered his manners. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Uh- yeah. Do you have any tea?"

"I can check." He pointed to the staircase. "My room's the second door on the right. You can go up."

"Thanks." She smiled again before following his instructions. Once she reached his room, she looked around. People's rooms said a lot about them & Finn's room said he was a typical teenaged boy. Filthy.

"I couldn't find any tea but my mom has some diet soda." Finn walked in. "Is that okay?"

"Yeah." She took the can from him. It was really cold.

He pushed a pile of mess from his bed onto the floor. "Sorry about the mess. I was looking for something yesterday & tore my room apart looking for it. Have a seat."

"Thanks." Marcy perched on the edge of his bed. "So about the package."

"Yeah. How'd you know about that?" His eyebrows drew together.

"That depends on if you've opened it."

He nodded. "I did." He crossed to his desk & picked it up.

"I sent it."

His jaw dropped. "But there isn't a stamp on it!"

Kurt was right; as a broken light bulb… "That's because I didn't mail it. I just put it in your mailbox."

Finn sat on his bed, dumbfounded. "So you made the tapes?"

"In a matter of speaking." She looked at him. "Did you watch the whole thing? Listen to all of it?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I don't really know you, Finn. I don't know your character or anything but someone special to me thinks the world of you."

"Who?!" He was shocked. His family & Rachel were the only people who thought anything of him. That he knew.

"I'll get to that." She patted his leg. "Rachel likes you. But more as a friend. Which I think you are way more okay with than you're letting on."

He flushed.

"I think you got with Rachel because you liked her last year when you were with Quinn. When Quinn cheated, you probably took it as a sign that you should be with Rachel. It makes sense. But you've grown apart. Instead of talking it out, you both refuse to admit that you want different things."

Finn nodded. She wasn't wrong.

"Now you're in an empty relationship. But Finn; you're almost seventeen! You don't have to be in love. You don't have to be in a relationship. You can be alone or just date around. It won't make you a bad person."

He looked at her. It was exactly what he feared. That not being in a relationship made him seem less than. Unstable. He didn't want that.

"But here's the deal. You've got to search your soul & see if you want to let Rachel go. If you do, she'll probably go back to Jesse. Me, myself, I'd pick you. Dude is not my type!"

Finn smiled, flattered.

"You shouldn't worry about saving face because of that. You don't have to jump into another relationship to prove you don't need her. & if you do break up & she goes back to him; you gotta let her. Don't hold it over her head or guilt her. Move on & let her. If anything, he's saving you."

Finn chuckled. Rachel was a handful for sure.

"Now onto the second part!"

Second part? What was she talking about?

"The part where I tell you the person who thinks you are the bees knees?" Marcy laughed. The boy was an open book.

"Bees knees?"

"Old term. She likes you." She waved a hand. "I heard about you losing your virginity last year to a certain spicy Latina."

"Who told you?" His eyes rounded & he looked around for his mom. He shut his door carefully before returning to the bed.

"A lot of people." She fudged slightly. "& I suspect it meant something to you."

"Of course." Finn ducked his head. "She was my first. She'll always be special."

"That's true. But not what I meant. I meant it meant something to you because she means something to you."

He blinked at her in shock.

"If you want to date her, go for it. Call her. Invite her over to talk tomorrow. Hash out how you feel today & call her tomorrow. That way you're sure about what you want. Even if after tomorrow; you two don't date, at least everything will be out in the open & resolved."

Finn thought about what she said. "Are those tapes real?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I bugged the choir room yesterday. I wanted you to hear & see the truth for yourself."

"Thank you."

She rose & went to the door but stopped & turned before touching the knob. "I set this all up though."

"Huh?" He looked up.

"I got Jesse to come out here. It really wasn't all that much but I tricked him into coming back. I had it so that they'd be alone. I made sure they didn't cheat but I put all this into motion."

"Why?"

"Because that's how much she cares for you. She knows you don't love Rachel & wants her chance to prove to you that's she's right for you. & I wanted her to have that chance. I kept everyone else out of it though. I didn't want a repeat of last week."

He nodded, understanding she was talking about Mike.

"Oh & Finn?"

He looked up again.

"Rachel's calling Jesse today. Think fast." With that, she left.

Finn had a lot of thinking to do.

M&Q&M

Marcy closed the door to her bedroom. She was finally alone & wanted to take advantage of that fact. She crawled into her bed & simply laid there, face down on the sheets.

Something cold pressed against her side & she realized it was the can of soda Finn had given her. She forgot she still hadn't drank it.

"Hey."

She sat up & looked at the door. "Hey."

Mal crossed her room & sat on her bed beside her. "Did everything happen that you wanted to?"

She nodded. "I think so. We'll find out Monday."

He scooted until he reached her headboard. "Ready for tomorrow?"

"Oh shoot!" She set the can on her bed & reached for her cell on her back pocket.

"What?"

"I forgot to tell Laura about Tina!"

He chuckled. "It's going to be weird to call her up & shout "Mike's got a girlfriend!" at her & hang up."

She gave him a mean look. "Who said anything about calling her?" She crawled to him & showed him her phone.

He looked down & saw what she had just texted Laura.

To: Lady
From: MarcyMal! Ready for tomorrow? Mike's so lucky the family doesn't know about Tina. FD has been crowded lately! lol

He looked at her. "You're a genius!"

She rolled her eyes. "Duh!"

"Won't she suspect? Laura & Mal aren't exactly the same name."

"I only have one "L" entry & your name is the first "M". So it's something that could actually happen." She opened the still cold can. Did he pull this from the freezer?!

M&Q&M

Mercedes looked over at Puck, who fidgeted nervously. "Why are you so nervous?!" She slapped at his hands.

He stopped trying to straighten his slacks. "I've never met a girl's parents before. Let alone her whole family!"

"I thought the Puckasaurus never got nervous?!" She smirked.

"Ah, Mama!" He pulled at his pants once more before settling in his seat. "You're not making me feel better."

"I'm sorry." She took his hand. "I feel really confident about this. Sam did really well last week & I think you will, too."

"Sam said he was scared shitless."

"But he didn't show it!" She replied triumphantly.

"Why are you driving me?" He looked at her. "You don't like my truck?"

"There's nothing wrong with it." She turned a corner. "It's just that I rarely get to drive. I feel like I got my license for show cuz I'm always riding with someone. But you've only been in the Adjacent for work. I wouldn't want you to get lost."

"Maybe if you would have let me drop you off at home instead of inside the gate…" he trailed off.

"My mom could have seen you then." She finished, giving him a look.

Her phone went off for the fifth time. "Do you want me to get that?"

"If it's Laura again, ignore it."

"Why are you ignoring her?" He picked up the phone. It was Laura again.

"She wants to demand why she found out about Tina through a wrong text. We've all been avoiding her." She explained. "It's part of Marcy's plan."

"Mini Mama has a plan?"

"Yeah, remember when we said we were going to break all of our relationships to the family at different times?" He nodded. "We wanted different people to do it so it wouldn't be spiteful. So Marcy faked like she was texting Mal & sent Laura a message that made it clear that Tina & Mike are dating."

"That really worked?" He was impressed.

She nodded & took a left. "As well as Mike spilled about you & Maddie excitedly telling the family you caught the game winning ball."

"So she was bragging about me?!" Puck grinned.

"Don't get a big head. She wanted to know if I was proud of you."

"Were you?" The grin was gone but the nervousness was back.

She looked at him & smiled. "So proud." She faced the road again. "Anyway, after the text everyone ignored Laura so that by the time we left for church today, she'd be foaming at the mouth for details. Which we couldn't give until after service. When everyone scattered until Brunch."

She chuckled. "You should have seen her face! When we all were seated & having Week Talk, she said her week was amazing until she found out her brother was dating some girl that no one would tell her about."

She outright laughed at the memory. "Everything was silent! You could hear aliens, it was so quiet. Mike turned beet red, the kids started laughing, Maddie was ecstatic. Until Aunt Jeanette told her that Mike would have to choose between Tina & the original women in his life. Girl pitched a fit that rivaled the time she had the chicken pox & had to miss her first ballet recital."

Puck laughed.

"Like last week when I lied & said you were visiting your grandmother, Mike said Tina was similarly busy. That way everyone is spaced out."

"I actually did visit my Nonna." Puck told her.

"Really?!"

He nodded. "Yeah, I try to visit her at least twice a month. She lives outside of Lima."

"That's so sweet!"

He blushed slightly. "She takes care of my little sister so I try to visit her on her own so she doesn't think I'm only coming by just for Nicolette. I bring Nic into the city to visit my mom every so often but mostly to hang out. I had her this week. But when I visit my Nonna, it's just me & her spending time together."

Mercedes parked & faced him. "That is the sexiest thing I have ever heard."

He blinked. "Hanging out with my grandmother?!"

"A man who loves who's important to him." She leaned over & kissed him.

He shrugged when she pulled away. "I'll take that."

She grinned. "Come on. We're going to be late."

He checked his watch. "We're on time."

"Early is on time; on time is late." She climbed out of her car & fixed herself before locking the doors.

He met her at the bumper & took her hand. "I wish I could have gone to church with you."

"It's okay. I explained that you were Jewish. They like that you attend temple regularly."

He grinned. Maybe this won't be so bad.

M&Q&M

Maybe I should slip out of the bathroom window. Puck thought as Michael described all the ways his Mohawk could make him sick.

"Do you know this Tina girl?" Jeanette interrupted.

"Tina? Yes, ma'am." Puck blinked.

"Is she a good girl?" Judy asked.

"Very. She's polite & nice." He'd only learned of the girl's existence the year before but he knew she was a good girl.

Rose. "That's good. No little tramps are getting near our sweet boys!"

"Ah, Ma!" Marc turned a ruddy color.

"Tina's the nicest girl I've ever met, Aunt Rose." Mike confirmed.

Mal nodded. "She's kinda shy."

"The quiet ones are always sluts!" Jeanette murmured bitterly. Everyone but Maddie heard her but no one dared to react.

The dinner was stiff & awkward. Like the week before, the new boyfriend was subjected to a vigorous inspection. The women cooed at Puck & the men glowered.

By the time dessert rolled around, everyone was chomping at the bit to leave. Sam & Puck were welcomed back & Tina was invited. The moms left to go to their book club (a bar) & the dads & Robert left for the club.

"Are you coming to AD this time?" Marcy looked at Marc & Laura, who nodded.

"I'm going to put Maddie to bed." Laura went on.

"Let's roll!" Mike snapped irritably. "I need to light one up."

M&Q&M

"Puck looks so pissed!" Sam noted. He walked Quinn to her door as they waited for everyone to catch up.

"They gave him a hard time." Quinn reminded him. "Harder than you. They had to have heard he's a bad boy. I don't think he has their approval at all."

"Do I?"

"The moms yes. The dads are iffy." Quinn smirked.

"That's as good as it's gonna get, isn't it?"

"Most likely." She led him to the basement. "They'll like you later. Once you prove you can take care of me, they'll back off."

Sam side-eyed her literally. "Take care of you?"

She looked at him. "Don't pull that. We're old fashioned. They want their girls taken care of. If you have money or a good job, they figure you can do it. I'm not sure we're going to last the year so stop acting like I expect it. I'm just explaining their train of thought."

"Sorry." He waved his hands in front of him. "I didn't mean it like that. I was just happy you said I'd get a later."

Her face softened. "Watch yourself, Evans."

"Yes, ma'am." He grinned & pulled her to him. Before he could kiss her, heavy steps clomped down the stairs. Soon the family filled the space.

"Are you guys staying?" Quinn asked, eyeing their bags.

"Yup." Mercedes nodded. "I plan to get drunk tonight! I have such a headache!"

"I wanna drink!" Maddie bounced on the tips of her toes. "I wanna drink!"

"No way, MadCap!" Laura said.

Marcy hugged the little girl & bade her to pout. "Just four ounces of wine. She'll be okay."

"No." Laura crossed her arms.

"Kids her age in France have been drinking for two years!"

"We're American."

"One of us is a killjoy." Marcy muttered. "It's only a drop! Stop acting like it's a lot."

"Mommy & Daddy are at it again." Mal rubbed a hand down his face.

"It's too much!" Laura insisted.

Marcy covered Maddie's ears. "You know damn well we drank more than four ounces at her age. Let the girl loosen up."

"Fine!" Laura conceded. "But if she has a hangover, you're explaining it to Uncle Michael."

"I swear!" Marcy pledged. "You're drinkin, kid!"

Maddie jumped up & down. "Yay!"

"She's drinking your wine!" Laura snapped vindictively.

"No. She's drinking Aunt Judy's wine." Marcy corrected. She turned to the group. "So wine & what else?"

"Tequila!" Mercedes yelled.

"No!" Sam shook his head. "I can't do anymore tequila shots."

"You can drink port with me." Marc offered. Sam gave him a relieved sigh.

"I can't believe you don't want whiskey." Mal was amazed.

"Who said I didn't want whiskey?!" Marcy was appalled. "The hell I don't!"

"I need a glass of sherry." Laura plopped onto a couch.

"I'll drink tequila with Mercy." Quinn said.

"Mal?" Marcy turned to him.

"I'll drink whatever you drink."

Puck couldn't believe his ears. He really did a double take when Marcy asked him what did he want to drink. "What?!"

"Don't act like you don't drink!" Marcy snapped. "C'mon! C'mon! It's almost ten."

He shrugged. "Got any beer?"

Marcy turned to Quinn, who nodded. "Yep." She jumped over the bags they had dropped by the staircase. "Who wants to help me?"

"I can." Sam offered in his gentlemanly way.

They made their way up the steps while the kids below organized their belongings. They began to change their clothes & put on their night attire without any warning. Puck felt like he stepped into another world.

Sam & Marcy came back with trays that had paper cups filled with water & sweetbreads. "We have to vote after ten."

"Why?" Sam looked around. "It could be quick."

Marcy shook her head. "It's legit 9:58. We don't have time."

They began giving out the supplies & the kids took their medications. Once they finished, she & Sam returned upstairs to get food & the drinks.

"We should vote now before anything gets started." Marc reminded everyone.

"I say yes!" Maddie hopped around. "Puck is funny & so cute!"

Mercedes laughed. "You know I say yes. Marcy would, too."

"You can't vote for that demon!" Marc protested.

"I say yes." Quinn cut in. "We should in good faith."

Laura rolled her eyes. "You only say that because you were right about your boyfriend."

"You're just mad because we voted against Robert!" Quinn snapped back.

"Would you stop?!" Mike yelled. "We need to hurry this up. I have such a headache."

"Then what's your vote, bro?" Marc looked at him.

"I say no!"

"Mike!" Mercedes pouted.

"I'm not changing my mind, Merce."

"I say yes." Mal interrupted. "Puck's cool. He wouldn't hurt us like that."

"He's really cute, Mercy." Laura considered. "But I'm not sure."

"& I say no." Marc continued. "So that's four aye's, two nay's, an undecided & an untallied."

"It's a tie then." Mike looked appeased. "So that's a no."

"Not fair!" Mercedes cried. "Marcy hasn't voted. It's not a tie."

Just then Sam & Marcy descended the stairs ladened with the trays & various foods.

"I'm not running up those steps again!" Marcy huffed as she set her load down.

Sam set his stuff down, too. "I feel like I got a workout!"

Marcy grinned as she began to strip. She put on pajama shorts & Mal's old football jersey. "Sexy & you know it!"

"Will you vote already?!" Mike grew weary of the witty banter. His headache was making him mean & dizzy. "I wanna light up!"

"Then do it, crabapple!" Marcy put away her clothes. "Damn, I hate you when you're sober sometimes!"

"I can't until you vote."

"Are you the only one toking up tonight?" She asked him.

He shrugged. "I don't know."

"I need to." Mercedes moaned. "It's been a few weeks."

"For me, too." Quinn agreed. "I'm in."

"Can I try?" Sam asked tentatively.

"Are you sure, bro?" Marc looked at him seriously. "This isn't something that you can walk away from if you get hooked."

Sam nodded. "Can I just do a little?"

"Just let him huff it." Marcy threw in.

"Then why can't he do yours?!" Quinn looked offended.

"He can! I don't care!"

"Will it be the same?" Sam was a little nervous. Last week was his first time drinking & this week he was doing drugs. His mama would kill him if she knew.

"There's no way in hell." Marcy chuckled.

"I'm in, too." Marc said.

"Me, too." Laura decided.

"I'll rather be sober." Mal turned down. "Just in case anything happens."

"I vote yes. I wanted Mercy to tell him last week so she already knew my vote." Marcy concluded.

Mercedes stuck her tongue out at Marc. "Told you! The aye's have it. We're telling him."

"Telling who what?" Puck was so confused he didn't know what to do.

"C'mon, little one." Laura held her hands out for Maddie. "You need to get to sleep."

"But I haven't had my drink yet!" The child stamped her foot as she pouted. "& I want to see how Puck takes it!"

Marcy opened the wine & poured four ounces into a glass. "Give him the bare rundown. If he accepts it, she'll be on her way out. If he doesn't, he will."

Mercedes nodded. "We take medication for mental illness. We all do. They're different ones. We share some. We also have habits. Bad habits. So answer carefully; can you handle it? If not, you have to leave. But you can't tell anyone either way."

Puck's jaw dropped. He was not expecting that. "What?"

"Does she really have to repeat it?" Mike was impatient.

Puck shook his head. He didn't know they were so screwed up. He was, too so maybe that's why Mercedes wanted him. He felt he could handle it & told them so. "I got you, Mama."

Mercedes breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she wasn't wrong about him.

Maddie threw herself into Puck's arms. "You're a prince, too! You're going to save Mercy!"

Laura chuckled. "Bed time, Maddie!"

Marcy handed Laura the glass as everyone bid the girl goodnight.

"Now that the half-pint's gone…" Mike stood. "We can get started!"

Marcy poured a shot of bourbon for everyone. "Mike, are you going first?"

He nodded. "I'm terrified for Tina!"

Sam hit Puck's shoulder. "Wanna change?"

Puck nodded. They both left.

"You think he means it?" Mal asked as he watched Mike roll a blunt.

"I hope so!" Mercedes bit her lip.

"I'm guessing you want the specialty?" Marcy asked.

Mercedes nodded. "Please? I feel like he thought I was a good girl but now I'm some freak!"

"You're not a freak, Mercy!" Quinn defended.

Mike added on. "& he has no room to judge!"

Marc snickered as the boys returned.

"Ready, Lightweight?" Marcy asked Sam.

He nodded. "Who's going first?"

"I am." Mike responded.

"Going first for what?" Puck questioned.

"Shots." Quinn answered.

Mike downed his shot quickly then refilled the glass.

Everyone but Puck picked up a tumbler as Laura bounded down the stairs. "Starting without me?!"

They laughed.

Sam elbowed Puck & whispered, "Pick up your shot, man. You said you were serious about her!"

"I am!" Puck whispered back, picking up the glass. "I just never guessed."

Everyone held their shots aloft & Puck followed suit, confused. "It's us against them vs. the world!" They downed the shots, Puck slower than the rest.

Puck was so confused. "What was that?"

"Our mantra." Marc answered. "Mercy has the specialty."

Mercedes refilled her tumbler & downed it fast. She grimaced. "Why'd you get the bourbon, Marce?"

The brunette shrugged. "It was different. Can I have a specialty?"

"What's a specialty?" Puck wanted to know. He felt like he was playing keep up & was losing. Badly.

"How do you get a specialty?" Laura demanded.

"This past week has been hell for me!" Marcy snapped. "I deserve it!"

Quinn agreed. "She does."

"What happened?!" Marc would pummel anyone who hurt his sister.

Sam related the tale.

Laura bit her lip. "Take two specialties! I'm so sorry!"

"What's a specialty?!" Puck was sick of being ignored.

Mercedes explained. She also went into more detail about the family. After, she held her breath. She knew he'd have a problem. Her earlier confidence in her beau vanished.

He went to her & held her in his arms. "Wow. You're amazing. I would have snapped a while ago."

She smiled in relief. "What's the point?"

He frowned at her. "I got your back."

"Ready, Sammy Boy?" Marcy turned to the blonde.

He took a deep breath. "No. Somebody else go first."

Mike smirked. The shot had cooled his temper but he still needed to take the edge off. He lit the drug & took a deep puff. "That's the ticket!"

Marc stuck out his hand. "Let me take a hit."

"I thought you were doing your own thing?" Mercedes asked.

"Nah, I just wanna smoke." Marc took the joint from Mike. "I don't have time for the rest of that crap!"

The kids chuckled & found places to veg out. Laura & Marc sat on a deep red couch close to the stairs. Mal & Marcy curled up in a huge brown armchair by the unlit fireplace. Sam & Quinn lounged beside them on a chaise. Mike rested by Mercedes's feet on the floor while the diva & her boyfriend reclined on a tan loveseat.

"So you guys smoke weed & drink?" Puck asked as Mike handed him the drug. He took a puff. "That's cool."

"We come from grade a alcoholics." Laura muttered. "We pop pills & do actual drugs. We still cool?"

Puck smirked. "Meds don't count. What actual drugs do you do?"

"Sam!" Marcy snapped. "Do you want to do this or not?"

The blonde jumped. "Yeah. But you'll take care of me. Right?"

She rolled her eyes. "I got you. Chill out!" She rose from her relaxed position & went to her handbag. She brought it back & settled in as she went through it.

"You keep it in your purse?!" Sam was scandalized. "What if someone went through it & found it?"

She tried not to roll her eyes but he was so scared! "If anyone looked through my bag, they'd be getting an ass-kicking! But relax, country." She pulled out what she was looking for.

It looked like an ordinary makeup compact to Sam & Puck. Both of their mothers owed a few. Marcy opened it to reveal two mirrors. She removed one & a wall of white powder was uncovered.

"That's so cool!" Sam looked on in awe. "It's hidden like a room in Hogwarts!"

Mercedes couldn't hold in her laugh. "You're such a dork! I love that!"

Sam grinned sheepishly. "So what do I do?"

Marcy asked for Quinn's nail file. "I'll hold this to your nose & you inhale."

He blanched. "I have to put that in my nose?!"

"Do you want it in your mouth?!" She snapped. "There's plenty of ways to do this but this is the easiest, less messy way. Take it or leave it."

"Okay! Okay!" Sam held out his hand. He took the nail file Quinn handed him & moved across her to Marcy.

Marcy snatched the file from him & gave him a very small dosage. She moved until she was very close to the football player. "Don't make any sudden movements." She murmured.

He nodded slightly.

She held it to his nose as much as she could & whispered, "Breathe."

He sniffed & the drug was absorbed. "Whoa!" He blinked a few times. "What a rush!"

"Calm down, Samson!" Marcy warned. She took his arm & led him to a corner. "Twirl around a bit."

"Why?" Sam's eyes were wide as he looked at everything.

"It's a bigger rush!"

He did as commanded & flipped out. "That is so cool!"

Marcy led him back to the group. "He's gonna be loopy for a minute. The rest of you need to hurry up before he wants to party."

"I'll go." Quinn volunteered. "That way we'll be floating together."

Mercedes handed the small bag to Quinn. "You can have as much as you want. I only want a little."

"What's that?" Puck asked.

"Coke." Mike answered.

Marcy looked at Laura. "You can't do anything, Lady!"

Laura's jaw dropped. "Why not?"

"Cuz nobody wants to see you & Marc get down!"

Sam started laughing hysterically.

"Somebody's feelin it!" Mal quipped.

"I don't have to take that!" Laura snapped. "I can just smoke weed or get in on yours."

Marcy was taken aback. "Who said I was sharing?!"

"Coke?!" Puck yelled. He was a little slow on the uptake. "Like cocaine?"

"Yes." Quinn looked at him oddly before sniffing.

"Puck?" Marcy grinned. "What do you think I gave Sam?"

"You gave Sam coke?!"

She laughed. "I don't do that stuff!" She wiped away tears. "That was meth."

His jaw dropped. "That's so hardcore!"

"You sound impressed!" Marc laughed.

"I think I am."

Quinn wiped her nose & handed Mercedes the bag. "It's not bad. A thrill, ya know? Helps take the edge off when life gets you down."

Marcy took a hit of her meth. "It's like flying when you're so used to being buried."

"That sounds like a PSA to not do drugs." Puck admitted.

"Shut up!" She side-eyed him. "Are you gonna do any or sit here judging the way we describe the feelings?"

"I can try." He shrugged. "My mom does it."

"Your mom does coke or meth?" Marc asked.

"Coke. She's only been clean twice. When she was pregnant with me & my sister."

Mercedes rubbed his chest. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He hitched a shoulder. "I never tried it cuz my sister was around & I wanted to keep her safe but since she lives with my Nonna now..."

"You don't have to." Mercedes told him. "Just because we're doing this doesn't mean you have to. We're not judging you."

"I just want to try it. I'd rather it be around people I trust than someone else or on my own."

They all looked at him (except Sam who was watching the cold fireplace with interest). "Really? You trust us?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Wow." Marc ran a hand over his braids. "I feel like you're one of us for that."

Mike bobbed his head & held out a fist. "He's cool people."

Puck made a fist & pounded his bro's. "Thanks man."

Marcy held out her compact to Laura. "Don't take a lot!"

"Maybe if you didn't huff every damn day!"

"I don't! You're the one who takes e like you don't like sleeping with your husband!"

"Marcy!" Mercedes slapped the girl's shoulder.

"What?!" Marcy made a face. "You know Robert doesn't make your motor run so you have to take as much ecstasy as you can just to be able to be in the same room with him!"

Laura frowned. "So what?! You act like you're attracted to him."

"You wish!" Marcy snorted. "You just want someone to take his mind off of you! I wouldn't go near that brown nosing throw pillow if every human being on earth except him was suddenly struck with a strange mixture of herpes, the leper's disease & gingivitis!"

"That was too much." Quinn looked at her in disgust. "Gingivitis."

"You really hate that guy, huh?" Puck looked around.

Marc nodded. "She shouldn't have brought him to Family Dinner."

"Let it go!" Laura snapped as she wiped her nose.

Mercedes took a hit. "It's over with. We're not talking about it again."

Marcy got up. "We need music. Sam's about to lose his shit & he's gonna need the beat."

"Are you sure about this, Puck?" Mercedes whispered.

"Yeah. I won't lie to you, Mama."

She took a deep breath & like Marcy gave Puck the smallest amount possible. "Breathe."

Puck breathed in the drug & his senses reeled. "Damn!"

"Baby, are you ok?!" Mercedes's voice seemed far away to Puck.

Everyone leaned in to hear his answer.

"I'm fine. But why's Sam trying to eat the couch?"

Everyone looked at Sam, who was indeed chewing on the chaise.

Quinn smiled & peeled her boyfriend away. "Come here." She rose & pulled him to his feet. "Let's dance."

Marcy had put on music that fit the mood; slightly relaxed yet with a killer dance beat.

Each couple rose to dance while Mike texted Tina.

"Are you alright?" Mercedes asked Puck, who seemed in a daze. She was worried about giving him the drug.

"I'm fine!" He said brightly. "I am, I swear."

"Will you stay the night?" She looked into his eyes. "I don't want you leaving like this. I want to keep an eye on you."

"Just an eye?" His eyebrow swung up & he smirked.

Ain't nothing wrong with this bastard! Mercedes giggled. "Maybe a finger or two?" He grinned. "A pair of lips?"

He bent to kiss her. "I'll take that."

"Wanna go now?" She stopped moving. "I don't really feel like dancing. I kinda just wanna lie down."

He shrugged. "Okay. It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be."

"How is it?"

"Mini Mama was right. It's like I'm flying. But more like coasting like I'm cruising down a highway."

"Good." She hugged him tightly. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

M&Q&M

"Like a hangover?" Puck muttered.

Mercedes laughed. "You did fine. I'm proud of you."

"This is insane. Proud of me for surviving-"

Mercedes clapped a hand over Puck's mouth. "You can't say that stuff here." She looked around the busy hallway. It wasn't crowded for a Monday morning but there were a lot of people about.

"Sorry." He murmured against her skin. She moved her hand & he grinned despite his headache. "How do you guys do this?!"

"Survival."

M&Q&M

It was third period cheerleading practice & Tina put her all into the routine. Mike had texted her the night before to tell her she was invited to Family Dinner.

M&Q&M

"How do you feel?" Sam asked at football practice.

Puck ran a hand through his Mohawk. "Like shit but better. I got Mama & Mike's relaxed around me again. I feel kinda good."

Sam smiled. "Marcy said that stuff was potent but I did not listen. But I liked it. I think I'll cool off on it for a while but I def. wanna do that again."

"I liked it, too." Puck grimaced. "I can't believe I have something in common with my mom!"

"So you & Mercedes left kinda early last night." Sam goaded.

Puck grinned. "Stop fishin, Evans. I'm not tellin!"

"Puckerman! Evans! Get in there!" Coach Beiste screamed.

Both boys put on their helmets & raced onto the field.

M&Q&M

As soon as Marcy approached the choir room at the specific time, Finn took her hand & pulled her back out to talk.

The entire club saw it but only Santana & Rachel understood it. Santana had come over to the Hudmels on Sunday & Finn had talked to Rachel before school. Santana talked to Marcy during practice. Now Finn was talking to Marcy.

"I thought Mini Mama had something going on with your brother, Mike. What's that about?" Puck scratched his head.

Mike cocked his head towards the door. "That's a complex situation. But this… thing with Finn? I don't know what's going on."

"Why can't she talk to Finn?" Rachel put in. "Why does there have to be romantic undertones?"

Everyone looked at the quarterback's girlfriend in surprise. Everyone knew of Rachel's jealousy.

Santana took her hand. "She's right. Give it a rest."

Everyone was especially shocked at the Latina's show of affection towards the Jew. Mr. Shue looked at both girls in surprised glee.

They heard a shout outside the door. They wondered what it was before Marcy dragged Finn back into the room. She had a huge smile on her face. Finn had a small smile as well.

Everyone watched the two as they sat. They wondered why they didn't sit together if they were together.

"Class let's start this week off with songs that get us pumped up." Mr. Shue walked to the front of the room. "Anyone have a song?"

Marcy raised her hand. "I have one. It's about new love & going after what you want." She glanced at Finn with a smile & the boy blushed.

"Come on up!" Mr. Shue waved her on excitedly.

She rose & walked to the band to give them notice. Once they agreed, she pranced to the front of the room & winked at Finn.

She sang the A*Teens version of Elvis Presley's classic, Can't Help Falling in Love but put her own spin on it.

Mr. Shue's mouth hung open. "Are you kidding me?! That was amazing!"

Everyone clapped & Santana had to hide a few tears.

Rachel stood. "Mr. Shue's right. That was really good. Can I hug you?"

Marcy wanted to ask why but figured she could be nice just this once. She opened her arms & Rachel walked into the embrace.

The class was over being shocked so much & just decided to be flabbergasted.

Mr. Shue continued the class. He didn't even want to know the situation. Head in the sand.

Once glee rehearsal is over, the kids surrounded Marcy, Finn, Santana & Rachel. "What's this?"

The foursome looked at each other in confusion. "What's what?"

"I thought you had a boyfriend, Mini Mama. Why are you all up on Hudson?" Puck demanded.

"You're crazy." Marcy rolled her eyes. "I don't have a boyfriend. I can be all up on whoever I want." Finn bumped her. She huffed. "Just let it go."

The four rose & left the room

"This is not ideal." Mercedes frowned.

"I feel like I'm going to have to lock her in a closet til she turns 25." Mike muttered.

"You've been saying that since she turned twelve." Quinn reminded him.

Artie wheeled to the front of the room. "I don't understand what's going on here. At all!"

Brittany explained that Marcy was going to set up Santana & Finn somehow. She didn't have any information beyond that.

"What about Rachel?" Sam asked.

Tina shrugged. "She wouldn't tell us anything. She said it was better that way so Finn couldn't be mad at us like Mike was."

"I saw her leaving my house Saturday." Kurt spoke up. "I thought I was seeing things but it was def. her."

Mercedes looked at him. "Are you serious?! What is she doing?"

M&Q&M

"Why aren't you cheering on your boyfriend?" Quinn asked snidely.

Marcy was entirely sick of the badgering. She managed to avoid the glee students most of Tuesday but went to football practice like a ninny. "You know I don't have a boyfriend."

"How could you do that to Santana?" Mercedes wanted to know.

"Do what exactly?" Marcy turned to girls & Kurt. "What am I doing exactly that is in your craw?"

"You're messing around with Finn." Tina said.

"& how do you know that exactly?" Marcy asked. "What proof do you have that I'm doing anything with Finn at all? What business would it be of yours if I did? Every single one of you has cheated at one time or another so that self righteous crap can go away."

The group looked at each other, censured.

"You don't know what's going on so you're jumping to conclusions. You expect answers to questions you don't have the right to ask then get indignant when I don't answer. I'm not doing anything to Rachel or Santana. I'm not doing anything with Finn. I don't have to answer to anyone & Mal understands. So I'll thank you all to shut the fuck up!" Marcy grabbed her stuff & yelled to the field. "I'll see you later Mal!" With that, she stomped off.

"I guess we were told!" Kurt breathed.

"& she's right." Tina concurred.

"If Santana is upset, she's not showing it." Brittany noted.

"It'd been a problem." Mercedes agreed. "Maybe we should mind our business."

Quinn nodded. "From here on, we let those four do whatever it is they're doing. Now for prepping Tina for Sunday."

M&Q&M

"It's like they think I'm some home-wrecker!" Marcy paced. "Poor Santana! Poor Rachel! Poor Finn! Slut Marcy!"

Mal interrupted her path & hugged her. "They don't think that! They just don't understand. They'll apologize."

"I don't want them!" She laid her head on his chest, mindful of the wet spots from his recent shower after football practice. "Stupid friends."

"Speaking of friends, why don't you call up Ellen?" He massaged her arms. "You haven't hung out since last week."

"Okay. I like her anyway."

M&Q&M

"I know we promised to mind our own business but I feel so out of the loop!" Mercedes griped as she & Puck watched Marcy throw her arms around Finn's neck on Wednesday. "Marcy tells me everything!"

"Maybe it's too private or she promised or something." Puck suggested.

"Maybe." She turned to him. "So you wanna come over later?"

"Will your parents be there?" He truly felt uncomfortable around those people & wanted to limit his time around them.

"They're rarely home." She absentmindedly touched his chest lightly. "Marc lives with his fraternity & Marcy hates being at home."

"Okay." He shrugged, relieved. "What do you wanna do?"

"I don't know. I feel kinda jumpy." She confided. "I have my appointment today so I know I'm going to be tense when I get home."

"Seeing your-" He looked around & whispered, "therapist." He straightened. "Makes you tense?"

She giggled at his attempt to be incognito. "Yes. Talking about stuff is kinda difficult. But after I usually…"

"Do what we did Sunday?" He supplied. She nodded. "I'll be with you. You don't have to worry."

"I'm not." She wrapped her arms around his neck & he slid his around her waist. "I have my own badass to protect me."

M&Q&M

Mercedes laid back on her bed. She breathed deeply & tried to relax.

"How are you feeling now?" Puck asked her.

"A little better." She yawned. "Kinda sleepy."

"Why does it make you so tired?"

"I think it's the antidepressants." She looked at him & smiled. "But I'm waking up."

"You just wanna fuck!" He smirked as he jested.

"& if I do?!" She sassed right back.

"I can def. accommodate!" He rolled on top of her. He could play this game all day. In truth it was fun to be dirty with his first real girlfriend.

"Really now?" She opened her legs & groaned as he fell between.

"Sorry about that." He moved as if to leave but she locked her legs around his waist.

"It's okay." She rolled her hips. "Now about those accommodations…"

His eyes widened. Was she serious? "Yeah?"

"You should start now."

"Start?" He wanted to make sure.

She nodded, her gaze on his mouth. "Now!"

He swooped down & captured her lips. He didn't need to be beaten over the head with it!

She moaned low & he swallowed it before changing the angle. When she licked his bottom lip, he grew hard instantly & sucked her tongue into his mouth.

She arched against him & he pressed down, grinding her into the mattress. He stroked her sides & angled his hips to fit against her squarely. She wrapped her arms around his neck & ran her fingers over his head.

He broke the kiss to breathe. "Are you sure?"

She nodded & nipped his lips. "Very. I've been dreaming of this for a while."

"Really?" He would be lying if he said he didn't dream of her, too!

"Yup. I dream of you running your hands over me." His eyes darkened considerably. "Of you…" she stopped.

"Of me what, baby?" He pressed against her. "Tell me & I'll do it."

"Of you plunging your tongue inside of me." She whispered.

& his erection hurt at that moment. "Done!" He stripped her of her clothing & buried his face between her thighs so fast, she wasn't sure if it was the action or the cocaine making her head spin.

"Wait!" He lifted his head. "You don't have to do that. It was just a stupid fantasy."

In answer, he licked her. Her face registered her surprise while her moan registered her pleasure. "What was that?"

She swallowed. "Please."

He licked her again, using his tongue to caress her insides. "Please what?"

She arched off the bed & fisted her hands in the sheets. "Puck!"

Another swipe of his talented tongue made her gasp. "It's Noah to you." He sucked briefly. "& what do you want me to do, Mama?"

"That!" She was flying higher than any cloud.

"What's that?" He couldn't help but goad her. He swirled his tongue.

"Oh fuck!" She ran her hands up & down the bed in an effort to calm down. "Please!"

"Please what?" He'd never done slow torture before. He was good at it if his girl gave any indication.

"I want you to fuck me!" She growled.

"Yes, ma'am!" Puck dove in & had her screaming a mere two minutes later. He kissed his way up her body with a grin.

She bunched her hands in his shirt. "Who said you were done?"

He kissed her before reclaiming his favorite spot; between her thighs.

M&Q&M

"Somebody got laid!" Marcy grinned as she walked into the kitchen.

Mercedes caught her breath after choking on her juice. "Damn it, Marcy! What happened to making noise?!"

The girl shrugged. "Sorry. So how is he?"

Mercedes blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"So you're not going to brag?" Marcy looked at her like she was crazy. "I would. I bet his penis is something to brag about!"

Mercedes laughed. She missed this. "It's as talented as his tongue."

"He's a carpet muncher, too?!" Marcy grabbed two apple juice bottles from the fridge. "Girl, you got the Holy Grail!"

"I'm sorry for earlier." Mercedes looked down in shame.

Marcy looked over her shoulder then picked up the spoons she was reaching for. "No big."

"It is. We jumped all down your throat but you were right. Can't cast stones when you're living in a glass house. & it's none of our business."

Marcy huffed as she set the spoons next to the bottles. "I'm not messing around with Finn. I went to talk to him Saturday. He told me something Monday & I liked it so we just got a little closer. Maybe things'll get clearer Monday. Maybe they won't. But I'm not doing anything wrong."

"I know. We shouldn't have assumed you were." Mercedes pouted. "Love you."

Marcy smirked. "You're forgiven. But doubt me again & you're on your own!"

"I promise!" Mercedes crossed her heart. "What are you doing?"

"Getting food for me & Ellen." Marcy pulled Doritos from the pantry.

"You really like her, don't you?"

Marcy shrugged as she picked up some chocolate bars. "She's fun. Smart. Pretty."

Arching her eyebrow at that last description, Mercedes asked, "Are you going to seal the deal?"

"No." Marcy shook her head. "I f**k enough. I need an actual friend."

Mercedes nodded. She understood. "I'm glad you have one now. But glee can give you friends, too."

"All those old people?" Mercedes laughed. "Only Artie, Sam & Tina are my age. Sam & Tina are part of the family now. Artie's chill though. I kinda wanna hang with him more."

"You should. You'd have a lot in common." Mercedes told her as she watched her grab the Ben & Jerry's Milk & Cookies ice cream. If Marcy was sharing her favorite ice cream, she really liked the girl.

"We only have band together but it's a start." Marcy looked through the cabinets for a tray. "Any Oreos?"

Mercedes went to get them. "I should get some food for Puck."

"Is he up?" Marcy looked at the clock on the wall. "You guys have been running a marathon!"

Mercedes laughed as she put the package of cookies on the tray. "He's still asleep. But I wanna wake him up. He'll be hungry."

"Especially after the way you wake him up." Marcy smirked.

"That's the plan!"

"Give him meat." Marcy suggested. "Or cook him breakfast for dinner. Or rather midnight snack."

"I think I will!"

Marcy smiled before grabbing the tray of snacks & leaving.

Mercedes smiled, too. She loved her life right now.

M&Q&M

By Thursday most of the kids had calmed down about the situation. They had other pressing matters; like the bullying done at the school.

"Azimio is an ass!" Kurt railed. If he was looking for a rebuttal, he didn't get one. "This was my new Burberry!"

"Are you telling Dave?" Rachel asked. She had been there when Azimio Adams slushied Kurt. Ever since Karofsky came out over the summer, he'd been on a warpath.

"I don't want him to get into an altercation. Their relationship is strained at best but I don't want him to lose his oldest friend."

"At the risk of sounding stupid…" Marcy literally raised her hand. "Why don't you step to Adams?"

"Because he's built like a freight train!" Kurt's eyes widened. "He'd kill me."

"You're not afraid of him!" Marcy scoffed. "Besides I never said confront him alone. Have the guys there as a lookout to make sure nothing jumps off. But I think you could take him."

"Really?" Tina was shocked. "But he's so big!"

"Yeah, a big bitch." Marcy inclined her head as a way of apologizing for her language. "Have you ever seen him fight when it wasn't to jump somebody? Because he can't fight. Kurt would knock him on his ass & he hopes all his taunting will keep you scared so that you don't realize he's all talk."

The Gleeks sat back to think about what she said. They realized she was right. Azimio had never been in a single solitary fight.

"Okay." Kurt stood. "I'll confront him. Today."

"Are you sure about this?" Finn whispered to her.

"Yeah. You guys will be there & if anything jumps off, Adams won't know what hit him."

M&Q&M

"Hey, Adams!" Kurt shouted down the crowded hallway later after school had ended but before anyone actually left. "I have a bone to pick with you!"

"I don't want to have anything to do with your bone." Azimio sneered. "Get out of my face!"

"No!" Kurt planted himself between the jock & his escape route. The guys moved into place & he took a breath. "I'm sick of you always on my case. What's your problem?!"

"My problem is that before you came out all sparkly & shit, I had my best friend. Now he's one of you!"

"Being gay isn't a choice." Kurt stepped forward. "Dave decided to finally come to terms with his sexuality. He's happier now but you don't care because you're homophobic. If he were still in the closet & miserable, you'd be fine with that, wouldn't you?!"

"Damn right!" Azimio stopped moving backwards. "He could have kept it a secret then grew out of it but no. You & your band of freaks turned him into one of you."

"I'm sorry you have a problem with anyone different than you but we refuse to stop being happy to make you comfortable. I suggest you grow up." With that, Kurt turned on his heel & walked away.

Azimio could feel all the eyes of the students on him. More than half the school had gathered to watch. Lima may be a step away from corn country but it was not small. He couldn't let some gay geek punk him out like that. So he reached for him.

Too bad for him that he never got anywhere close.

M&Q&M

"It was amazing!" Puck's eyes were glazed over. "She was amazing."

"She slapped that boy so many times in a row, it sounded like applause!" Sam agreed in awe.

"What got me was that ninja move!" Finn tried to recreate it but failed spectacularly.

"I told Uncle Marcus those Mao Tao lessons would pay off!" Mike bragged.

"She's my hero!" Kurt hugged Marcy tightly.

"Guys!" The girl in question was red with embarrassment. "Would you relax? It was nothing!"

"That's straight blasphemy!" Artie swore. "It was like you pistol whipped him with your foot!"

Rachel flew into the room. "I just returned from the nurse. Besides his face, there isn't one bruise on Azimio's rather robust body. How did you do that?"

"Because she's a ninja!" Finn was stuck.

"She did appear out of nowhere." Puck backed him up.

"I just can't believe he tried to rush you as you were walking away!" Mercedes expressed to Kurt. "That is so vile!"

"I can." Santana put in. "Like Marcy said, he's a coward. He goes after who he can beat & tries to scare the rest. He probably knew Kurt could take him & thought a surprise attack would be his best bet."

"Bet he didn't count on Mini Mama materializing out of thin air & drop kicking him!" Puck howled.

"What's going on?" Mr. Shue asked. He was glad his students were relaxing & having a good time. They'd been through so much lately that the room was becoming stifling. He set down his stuff & pulled up a chair.

"Marcy just kicked Azimio Adams' butt!" Sam stated proudly.

"She's my hero!" Kurt squealed again.

Mr. Shue was confused. "Why? How?" He looked at the petite songstress. She was even smaller than her sister & Rachel. Azimio was not a little guy.

"I keep saying she's a ninja!" Finn was angry no one was taking him seriously.

"We get it, Finn!" Marcy snapped. "I'm a ninja."

He smiled to himself. At least one person believed him.

"Why aren't you with Figgins?" Mr. Shue wanted to know. "I doubt he'd let you go for striking another student."

"He let those jocks go for mental & emotional abuse for years." Marcy pointed out. "Besides, he loves me more than he's afraid of Coach Sylvester. & you know she terrifies him."

"What happened exactly?" Mr. Shue crossed his legs. He wanted to hear this.

"Earlier we were in here just talking & stuff." Tina began. "Kurt was complaining about Azimio."

"He's been a real jerk to him since Karofsky found his soul & his spine." Artie added.

"He blames Kurt for Karofsky being gay." Mike explained.

Mr. Shue rolled his eyes. "That boy is delusional!"

"Right!" Finn intoned. "So Marcy told Kurt to stand up to him. You know? say everything that's been bugging him."

"But he'd have the glee guys there to make sure no punches were thrown." Quinn cut in over their curly haired teacher.

"& everything was going great." Sam went on. "Kurt told him about himself & walked away."

"Everything would have been kosher if that asshole had just left it alone." Puck growled.

"Azimio waited for Kurt to turn his back before reaching for him." Mike told him.

Mercedes chimed in. "Apparently to surprise him."

"Which is stupid." Brittany swore. "Marcy was right; Adams can't fight."

"Marcy thinks I could take him in a fair fight." Kurt pulled Marcy closer.

"Earlier Marcy said he'll never know what hit him if he tried something but I think he did." Finn crowed.

"& she didn't leave a single bruise!" Rachel bragged.

Mr. Shue turned to Marcy. "What did you do?"

"I saw him reach for Kurt. I figured he would because he's a coward. So when he leaned forward, I kicked him in the back. He spun around & I round-housed him then drop kicked him. I used the flat of my foot to not leave any markings."

"Who are you?! Chuck Norris?!" Mr. Shue was totally impressed. "What happened next, Jet Li?"

"When he went down, I jumped on him & slapped him around a little." The girl shrugged. Or tried to. Kurt was still holding on tight. "Then I told him that if he went around Kurt again, he'd not be a happy camper."

"Bet he won't even look at Porcelain too hard!" Coach Sylvester strolled into the room. "I heard about the fight, Patti."

"What is it, Sue?" Mr. Shue rolled his eyes. Her appearance always boded ill for him.

"I came to congratulate Laila Ali." Coach brought up a chair. "I looked over that Adams boy. Not a scratch on him. Even his face is returning to normal."

"I did it on purpose. If Kurt would have gotten into a fight or if one of the guys had jumped in, it would have gotten horrible. They would have been in a lot of trouble. But me?" Marcy pointed to herself. "I'm a girl that's a lot smaller than him. Without saying a word, most people would disbelieve him. & that's if he ever told somebody he got his ass handed to him by a chick. I made sure not to bruise anything but his face so that it looked like I only slapped him. Yet he will be stiff for a while." Puck high-fived her. "Principal Figgins won't do anything but the most I could get out of this, is a two day suspension. I can take that."

"You thought this out." Mr. Shue was very impressed.

"Kinda. I thought about it after everyone left. By the time Kurt talked to him, I had a plan. A lot of people won't believe it & I can use that to my advantage. Some will believe it but won't say anything. Others would probably offer me a medal."

"What I don't understand is how you got past us!" Mike exclaimed. "We were in a circle around them & you just appeared."

"Artie & Finn." She answered simply. "Between Finn's extreme height & Artie's chair, they left open a gap."

"That's inspiring." Coach Sylvester clapped slowly. "You remind me of a young chocolate Sue Sylvester."

"Perish the thought!" Marcy deadpanned.

The room laughed. "Don't get cute with me! I'll retract my offer!"

"I have a soul, Coach."

Coach Sylvester narrowed her eyes. "That's two. I'm offering my services to keep you out of trouble with Figgins."

"Keep them." Marcy declined wisely. "I can do bad all by myself. I'm no one's indentured servant."

"I can pad your record." Coach Sylvester threatened.

Marcy laughed in her face. "Have you seen my record?! There's no room for anything else!"

Coach Sylvester growled in frustration.

"She wants something!" Everyone turned to look at Mercedes. "She only offers her services if she wants something that she can't get from someone else."

"She's right." Quinn agreed. "& when she can't bribe you, she blackmails you."

"But Marcy can't be bought or blackmailed." Santana laughed. "You could always just ask."

Coach Sylvester snorted. "She's as mean as I am!"

"No, she's not!" Brittany defended. "If you ask nicely, Marcy would do anything for you."

"She's into politeness." Tina added. "It's called manners."

"You wouldn't know." Kurt waved at the cheer coach.

"Fine." Coach Sylvester snapped. "I like the way you handled Adams. I need someone in place that provides muscle as well as power. Q is queen bee but she only has the power for mental pain. Aretha has emotional pain covered while FunBags is all over the physical. Sand Between her Ears, Lucy Lui & Porcelain are back-up. Nice back-up. They make up numbers while bringing some worth to the table.

But Patti has all of those qualities with my ruthlessness & even Yentl's refusal to lose. She has the ability to scar you for life while putting you in traction. She's badder than Robert Downing Jr. ever could be." She pointed to Puck. "More golden than Lady Lips." Sam frowned. "Can make anyone more comfortable than Jackie Chan."

"That's so racist!" Mike muttered.

"Can gain more sympathy than Wheels & he's in a chair! She's more flexible than the Jolly Finn Giant. He's only in two extracurriculars. She's in five times as many & she's still in top form. Her walls are sky high & nigh impenetrable. I need someone who can keep their cool, make a plan & manipulate things in my favor. I want her to be my head Cheerio next year."

Quinn made a sound of distress.

"I'm not doing that." Marcy shook her head over the sound. "Q-Card loves being top dog."

"You can share."

"With Becky!" Mercedes threw in.

"With Becky." Coach Sylvester agreed. "So what do you say?"

"No way in hell." Marcy snorted.

Everyone's jaws dropped.

"Why not?!" Coach Sylvester sputtered.

"Why would I?" Marcy asked. "What am I getting out of this?"

"Popularity, fodder for college applications, adoration & fear!" Artie rattled off.

"I'm already popular. As Coach Satan mentioned, I'm in a ton of stuff & my grades are the business. I don't care what other people think or feel so they can keep their fear & adoration." Marcy shrugged. "Being somebody's bitch is not my life's goal."

"What do you want?!" Coach Sylvester asked in a tone others would have recognized as begging if it were someone else.

"You don't have anything I want." Marcy grinned evilly.

"But you have an idea." Santana licked her lips. "I know that look. I have that look whenever I know I have an ace."

"She's right." Marcy straightened & rearranged Kurt so that he wouldn't choke her. "I'm not gonna lie. I know I've done a bunch of bad stuff & I'm barely a sophomore. I'm going to mess up a lot & one of these days; Daddy's money, my fist or my face won't be enough to keep me out of serious trouble."

"So what do you want?" Coach Sylvester asked again, eyeing the girl warily.

"A favor. Three actually." Marcy's grin grew. "Whenever I ask, you have to do it. No matter what it is. & it won't be some stupid favor like keeping me from being suspended. I'll tell you, I'm calling in a favor. If I die before I get my three, they go to my family." Everyone sat back at her cunning. Marcy extracted herself from Kurt, stood & walked to Coach Sylvester. She stuck out her hand. "Is it a deal?"

Coach Sylvester eyed her even more. "Just three favors?"

"I won't do anything that can get me or mine in trouble. I won't do anything that damages our health. & not to actual children, the elderly or pregnant women. Other than that, yes. Three favors to be your mobster on a leash."

Coach Sylvester took her hand. "It's a deal."

"You are my hero, Mini Mama!" Puck flung his arm around Mercedes.

Artie raised his praise hand. "Preach, my brother! Not only has she slain the beast known as Azimio but our shero has looked Satan herself in the eye & laughed!"

Finn took up the sermon. "She hath stood up for the meek & downtrodden. She hath stood up for righteousness & justice!"

Sam jumped to his feet. "She hath saved Brother Kurt from a fate one would not wish upon thine worst enemy!"

Mike added. "She walks with her head up, striking fear into the heart of Satan & her minions! She carries herself regal, fair & just!"

Artie took over again. "Brothers let us pay tribute to this talented, brilliant beauty! She is an angel among men! She protects her people! She loves her people! She is for her people! Therefore, my brothers & my sisters!-"

When he paused, everyone waved their hands in praise. Artie was going to church & they were right behind! Marcy looked at those fools & shook her head with a rueful grin.

"Therefore, we shall lift her high! Yes, we will lift her high. Lift her high & sing her praises!"

Kurt hummed like it was a Negro spiritual. "My brothers & sisters, this mini diva-in-training hath giveth me life! She hath taketh me from the depths of despair & raised me to the highest peak! I will sing her praises!"

Finn bowed his head & clasped his hands. "The angel known as Marceline Jones hath saved my family in more ways than one. She hath healed my broken heart. I shall sing her praises!"

"I love my little sister!" Mike proclaimed. "She has done more for me than most shall ever know! I will forever sing her praises!"

Every time "sing her praises!" was spoken, the speaker joined the chorus Artie had started of Amazing Grace.

"Mini Mama might be new to me but she is the baddest chick I've ever met." Puck jumped up & down like he had the Holy Ghost. "She helps Mama stay true to herself & be as good as she is. I shall sing her praises!"

One by one, everyone said what they were appreciative of for Marcy. Even Rachel jumped up. Finally Mercedes stood & swayed. She began singing a different song. The girls followed her choice while the guys recycled Amazing Grace.

Coach Sylvester watched with barely veiled disgust though it was actually mirth. Mr. Shue grinned at it all. He knew his kids were at their best, free as they were.

"I shall forever sing her praises!" Mercedes belted.

Marcy made a face. I gotta get new friends! The impromptu performance came to a peaceful end. "Are you done now?"

"You know you liked it!" Mercedes teased.

"I know I recorded it!"

"What?" Mr. Shue laughed. "How much?"

"All of it. The beginning might be muffled." Marcy checked her phone. "I wanted to make sure I got the agreement on tape but then I got distracted by your "sermon"."

"My sermon was kickass!" Artie waved his finger. "Don't diss my words, woman! I may sing your praises but I'll still get you!"

"Okay!" Marcy went over to hug him but wound up hugging Brittany as well as she was on his lap.

"Let me leave this hippie compound!" Coach Sylvester muttered.

"Whatever you say, Sue." Mr. Shue shook his head.

M&Q&M

On Friday, Quinn & Mercedes had taken over Tina's room. Mike had to find new plans because they wanted to prepare her for Family Dinner.

"Are you sure this is necessary?" Tina touched her hair gingerly. "I thought your family was conservative."

"They are." Quinn assured her. "But if they're going to hate you, they should hate the real you."

"That didn't come out right!" Mercedes slapped Quinn's arm. "What she meant was that they aren't going to really try to accept you so you shouldn't bend over backwards to impress them."

"Yeah, they're stubborn people who hate everyone. They barely accept Robert & my sister brought him home two years ago."

"It's just one of those things where being yourself doesn't do you any favors but it's worst to be someone else." Mercedes went on.

"So that's why my streaks are brighter & there are more of them?" Tina asked.

Quinn nodded. "We need to put you in their faces."

"But we're still going to tell you how to navigate them." Mercedes told her. "No one should go in blind."

"Didn't the boys?" Tina wanted to know.

"Yeah, but it was more because we were all surprised." Quinn waved her hands empathically.

"& you're way more sensitive." Mercedes added.

"So what should I know?" Tina went to her closet. "Tell me everything."

"Well, our parents met in college." Quinn pushed Tina out of the way & proceeded to bring out every piece.

"Our moms were sorority sisters & our dads were fraternity brothers. After graduation, everyone split up but met years later." Mercedes flipped through a magazine. "It's kinda weird. They all went to the same school but the girls never met the guys until school ended."

"Mike's parents met first but mine got married first." Quinn said. "Mercy's met last & married second. Then The Changs' married."

"That is strange." Tina intoned. "So how did you all find each other?"

"That was my fault." Mercedes raised her hand. "It was preschool & I saw this Japanese boy sitting by the blocks alone. I didn't understand why he was by himself when everyone was playing together so I went over & introduced myself."

"Tell the whole truth, Merce." Quinn mocked over her shoulder.

"I am!" Mercedes huffed. "I introduced myself & invited him to play with me."

"She said "Hi, I'm Mercedes & you're going to be my new friend." So bossy!" Quinn interrupted.

"Me?!" Mercedes sat up. "You're the one who saw us, marched over & said if we were going to be friends that you'd have to be, too. & that we'd be best friends forever."

"You weren't gonna leave me out!" Quinn humphed.

Mercedes laughed. "After class ended, we rushed outside to tell our parents about our new besties. They were surprised to find their old college pals & it went from there."

Quinn nodded. "They started having events together & hanging out all the time. Turns out we live close together but you know how big the Adjacent is."

"Before school had even ended that year we were how we are now." Mercedes took up.

"So tell me about everyone." Tina was amazed.

"My dad's the eldest." Mercedes said. "& Aunt Jeanette is the youngest adult."

"My dad's the youngest dad but my mom is the oldest mom. Aunt Rose is in the middle with Uncle Michael just older than her." Quinn continued.

"Who's who?" Tina was confused.

"My mom & dad are Marcus Sr. & Rose Jones." Mercedes pointed to herself. "Marcus Jr. (who we call Marc) is 19 & he goes to State. There's me then Marcy."

"My dad is Russell Fabray & my mom is Judy." Quinn looked over a skirt. "My sister Laura is 20 & she's married to the biggest bore on the planet, Robert Hall. She goes to State, too but she lives with Robert in an apartment in the Adjacent. Robert's 23. Then there's me."

"Uncle Michael & Aunt Jeanette have Mike, Mal & Maddie. You know Mal & Maddie is their ten year old sister. She says she's best friends with Stevie, Sam's little brother." Mercedes continued.

"What do your parents do?" Tina looked over the choices Quinn had made.

"My dad's a plastic surgeon & my mom is a personal shopper." Quinn dragged out Tina's shoes.

"My dad's a dentist while my mom has a few flower shops. Uncle Michael is an ears, nose & throat doctor & Aunt Jeanette is a lawyer." Mercedes rose to look through Tina's jewelry.

"Robert's a legal aide & Marc just got into designing websites." Quinn made her choice about the footwear.

"The rest of us don't work." Mercedes picked out a shirt for Tina from the pile Quinn had amassed.

"You don't need to!" Tina's eyes rounded. "I heard how much your allowances are."

"All of our parents come from old money." Mercedes reminded her. "That's how my mom got her shops. Her grandmother left her money & she used it open a shop & it did good business so she kept expanding."

"It's also how my mom was able to be a personal shopper in Lima before more people became trendy." Quinn looked over the shirt Mercedes picked out. "Shouldn't she wear black?"

"We can find a black bottom but this shirt will bring out the highlights." Mercedes held up a sky blue satin tank with Chinese detailing.

Quinn nodded. "I can find a sheer black top to go over it."

"Keep going!" Tina bounced on the bed.

"Our parents are prejudiced against poor people." Quinn shrugged, looking for the top.

"They don't care about your race or sexual orientation but heaven forbid if you aren't rich!" Mercedes warned. "Our dads are sexist though. That's why Dr. Lopez & Papa Burt are often uncomfortable around them. They say hurtful things & treat women kinda cruelly."

Tina frowned. "Really?"

"They're subtle about it but don't worry." Quinn assured her. "Marcy will have your back."

"I like this skirt." Mercedes announced. She held up a black mini skirt that had frills & bellowed at the bottom like a bell or tulip.

"How about these boots?" Quinn held up black knee high military boots with studs.

"Only if we can take out the laces & replace them with either blue ones or blue ribbons." Mercedes compromised. "Since black & blue seem to be the theme, I have the perfect make-up."

"I see you have a bat necklace with a garnet center." Quinn looked at the small pile of jewelry Mercedes had set out. "A skull ring. Studded bracelets to match the boots. Blue fabric bracelet. Studded choker. Nice."

"I'm thinking of putting her hair up in the front & setting a clip in the back of it while the rest is in curls." Mercedes described.

"Kind of like it's in an upswept ponytail but not?" Quinn confirmed, finding the top.

"Yes." Mercedes found all the make-up she wanted to use. She turned to Tina. "Okay, girlie. After Brunch on Sunday; Quinn, Marcy & I will swing by to get you ready. Make sure to pamper yourself the whole day because this will be stressful!"

Tina nodded. "Is that all I need to know? Will I be okay?"

Mercedes & Quinn eyed each other. "Not even close!"

M&Q&M

"How's Tina?" Puck's voice caused Mercedes to shiver.

"A little shell shocked." She admitted. "We told her everything we could without giving away our secret. Mike's going to pick her up half an hour before dinner so that he can keep her calm."

"Is that something you all do?" He asked. "Drive your dates to Family Dinner?"

She shrugged before remembering he couldn't see her over the phone. "Maybe. I don't know. I really wish you were here. I'm so bored!"

"We could have spent the day together…"

"I couldn't." She murmured sadly. "When I got home last night, I had to take care of my sister. I didn't want to leave her alone today."

"I don't know what you mean though. You won't say what's wrong with her."

Mercedes took a deep breath. "Marcy isn't afraid of much. She's afraid of literally six things & one of them is noise. Loud noises. Anything remotely loud & she's liable to flip out. Thunder, slamming doors, yelling, all of it."

"That's gotta be hard. Loud noises are everywhere."

"Yup. Anything above a normal speaking voice & she gets as skittish as a newborn. She can fake it most of the day, especially if it can't be helped but it takes a lot out of her. When it gets to be too much, she takes her Xanax."

"Too calm her nerves?"

She nodded again before huffing at her silliness. "My parents were having one of their famous rows last night. Apparently, it had gone on for a few hours before I even made it home. Everyone in the family knows about Marcy but it's like they just don't care!" She took another breath. "I looked for her & finally found her curled up under her bed, crying her eyes out."

She heard him suck his teeth. "Damn!"

"Do you know how many times I've seen my baby sister cry?! Seven. I vaguely remember when she was born, when she started teething, the first time she hurt herself & had to go to the hospital, once when some lady in a store called me fat when she was five, when she couldn't go on a trip that meant the world to her when she was twelve, last week & last night."

"Wow. She does not cry."

"I was so mad at them! I had her take a bath since water calms her & told them they were being too loud."

"At least they calmed all that down."

"Not in the least. He said she should have outgrown that by now & he was sick of her always crying."

"What the hell is his problem?!"

"I don't know. I was so mad I told my mom what he did this summer & it got ugly! I just left them & slept beside her all night. She had the worst sleep so I had the worst sleep."

"Why?"

"She has nightmares & whenever something is bothering her while awake is ten times worse when she goes to sleep. & they didn't stop screaming until like 3 in the morning."

"You had a shitty night."

"Tell me about it! When I woke up, she was just staring at me."

"I understand. Her eyes freak me out, too. Why are her eyes so green anyway? I know black people can have green eyes but aren't they usually a light green?"

"I don't know. Daddy says it's because she isn't his."

Puck inhaled sharply & she winced. "I know he didn't tell her that, did he?!"

"Many times. He even says it about Marc sometimes. Because he's so much lighter than Daddy."

He swore. "I'm really sorry."

She shrugged. "He can't say anything about me like that because I look the most like him but he says I have no backbone like Momma."

"How can you stand that?"

"When I was little, I thought that was how everyone was treated. It wasn't until middle school that I found out not everyone's parents called them wastes of space." She chuckled. It was silent on the other end & she thought maybe she had gone too far. "But we've had good times, too! A lot! Too many to count!"

"Mercedes." He'd never said her full name before. "Do you want me to come over there?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'd just like to see you."

Is that a good thing? "Sure."

"It'll take me about half an hour."

She gulped. "Do you remember what my house looks like?"

"Yeah."

"Go around the left side. I'll leave my window open & the light on."

"You have a mansion. Won't a few of those windows be open? A few of those lights on?"

"No. Marc kept a ladder in the bushes on that side to sneak in & out when they were entertaining. Only the two of us have that side. You'd have to keep going & turn the corner for Marcy's room."

"How many stories do you have?!" He sounded winded.

"Four if you count the attic. Five if the basement. I'll go get us food. Maybe take a bath."

"When would you like for me to leave?"

"Could you not?" Mercedes held her breath. She knew guys didn't like clingy girls & after giving herself to him Thursday night, she tried to leave him alone as much as possible.

"I can bring a bag." She exhaled. "But what about church? Do you want me to go with you? What about your parents?"

"They won't know you're here. They sleep on the second floor & Marcy wakes me up for church. You could stay here if you want. Just hang out in my room."

"You'd trust me like that?"

She blushed & thanked heaven above he wasn't there to witness it. "Yeah. What would you like to eat? You know the Adjacent is like NYC. There's some place always open."

"Chinese?"

"Okay."

They discussed the order, his overnight bag & the best way to hide his truck before ending the call. She stood & crossed the hall to knock on her sister's door. "Marcy?"

The door opened a minute later & her sister's shiny head poked out. "Yeah?"

"Puck's coming over. He's spending the night."

Marcy grinned. "Want interference?"

Mercedes nodded. "Please?"

"When does he get here?"

"About 30/40 minutes."

"Mal's here so if you want to spend-"

"Oh no! It's not that."

Marcy smirked. "Not ready for a midnight double date?"

Mercedes blushed again. "Shut up! I'm just about to take a bath. You know?"

"Clean his menu?"

Mercedes's mouth fell open. "Freshen up, you perv! We ordered food so I don't want them knowing."

"Got it!" She closed the door.

My sister is the world's biggest freak! Mercedes shook her head as she headed to ready her room.