***Hey everybody! The best part of reviews is when a reader picks up on something that you tried show in your story. Sam's words and actions were important to me, because I wanted to show that he is a genuinely sweet guy. That's the Sam I fell in love with on the show. Also, one big change- Mercedes's friend is now Sugar, not Tina. I tried to work in the angle of Tina, but it made things more complicated, so I scratched it. Okay, all. Enjoy!

***Disclaimer- I do not own Glee or its characters. I think RIB for creating them, but hate him for ruining them. He builds us up, just to let us down. Why, RIB? Why?

Chapter 8

Mercedes floated to work after her surprise spa hour. The day felt like a gigantic blur to her, because she was so relaxed and peaceful. The five mimosas she had at the spa probably helped to. She felt amazing and was really touched that Sam had put so much effort at making this a great experience for her. But she was still hesitantly to take this gesture as being the end of her distrust for Sam.

"I mean, come on Sugar." She argued with her friend during her lunch break that day. "Anybody can pay for a spa day."

"Oh really? Please tell me where he at, because no guy I know will do that for a girl that's just a friend. Hell, my own boyfriend hasn't done that for me." Mercedes laughed at her friend's frankness. Sugar dated pretty boys who were always between gigs. They could barely pay for their part of the dinner, let alone give her a spa day.

"Sugar, one spa day doesn't make me automatically trust him. It's only money."

"Ok, true. It's only money. Hard earned money. Money that he earned from his messenger job. Money that he could have spent on school, or his band, or who know what. But nooooo. He spends it on you. And let's not forget about the bribe money. Whatever that may be." Sugar laughed.

"Hey, whose side are you on?" Mercedes answered laughing.

"Always your side, lady. But facts are facts. This man is making an effort." Mercedes sighed and smiled despite herself.

"Yeah, he is. And he's so damn cute, Sugar. I mean, fine, sexy cute."

"Oh, Lawd girl. You sound positively smitten." Mercedes tensed up.

"I don't know about that. I think he's fine and he paid for an amazing morning. That's all I can give right now."

"Ok, Ms. "I won't be made a fool of". Hope you know what you are doing?" Sugar told Mercedes she'd call call her later and hung up. Mercedes was lost in her thoughts when she heard a tap at the door. A delivery man was standing there holding an envelope. Mercedes buzzed him in, and signed for the package, wondering if it was Sam. She opened the envelope to find a picture of a butt ass naked Noah, lying on a bear skin rug. There was an inscription on it that read, "This is could all be yours if you just give me a 2nd chance." Noah had a pipe in his mouth, with a smirk on his face. Mercedes covered her mouth to stifle her laugh, and shook her head. What an idiot! She ripped the picture into pieces and tossed it into the trash. The office phone rang and Mercedes answered it on the second ring.

"Good afternoon, Schue and Co. May I help you?"

"Hi Mercy, it's Sam." Mercedes found herself smiling from ear to ear, her heart beating rapidly against her chest.

"Hi. I'm so glad you called."

"Really? Why?" Sam answered anxiously.

"Because I needed to thank you for this morning. It was amazing." Sam let out a heavy breath.

"I am so glad it went well. See, I told you would love it. Did you get to work on time?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you so much." There was a short pause.

"Mercy, don't thank me for that. It was a pleasure to do that for you. I really wanted to." Mercy rested her elbow on the desk and leaned her head on the palm of her hand.

"Thank you anyway. Are you at home?"

"No, actually I am in the library of my school. I am supposed to be studying but I can't stop thinking about you." Mercedes' heart skipped.

"The library. What subject are you studying?" Mercedes was going to change the subject quick. Sam laughed softly, knowing exactly what she was doing.

"Um, I'm studying Photographic processes. It's learning different ways to use photography to match certain artistic goal."

"Hmm, sounds really complicated."

"Not too complicated. Jut making decisions on using certain lens or light or background. That type of stuff."

"I thought you drew comics?"

"I do. But I do photography too."

"Wow, impressive."
"Well, maybe I will show you my photos one day soon."

"We'll see." Mercedes added cautiously. Sam bit his bottom lip. He could tell she was still deciding what she felt about him.

"Well you let me know when you are ready to see them." Mercedes stayed silent.

"Forgive me if you hear me mumbling." Sam added. "I'm trying to sneak in here and eat lunch."

"Don't worry about it. I am eating lunch now too. What do you got?"

"Tuna fish on wheat. My specialty, if I do say so myself." Mercedes was curious.

"What's so special about your tuna fish?"

"Ok, I'll tell you but if you tell anyone, I'll have to kill you. Deal?" Mercedes sucked a breath through her teeth.

"Um, a little crazy, but ok…" Sam hesitated a minute.

"Celery salt." Mercedes stayed silent for a minute and then laughed aloud.

"Ok, that's your secret. Celery salt?"

"Gal, don't play. It makes a world of difference. You watch?" Mercedes smiled at the sound of his southern accent coming through.

"Ok, If you say so. I will try it when I get home today."

"Do you have a long day left at work?"

"Not really. Should be home by 5:30, 6. I plan on relaxing at home with a good movie."

"Yeah? What's your favorite type of movies?"

"Hmm, tough question. Don't laugh, but musicals." Mercedes couldn't believe she just told this man such a dorky answer.

"Really? I like them too. I mean not as much as action comic movies, but I do like them."

Mercedes was skeptical.

"Yeah right Sam. Now you know you don't know anything about musicals."

"Hush your mouth girl! How dare you?" Sam answered in mock offense. Mercedes laughed. "My favorite is Moulin Rouge. But a close second is Walk the Line." Mercedes had to admit she was happily surprised. That is not the typical go to musical title for most people.

"Now why you do you like that those two?" She felt like she could see Sam tilt his head to the side and think about the question.

"Honestly? They're both crazy romantic. I mean, in Moulin Rouge, the guy is crazy, mad in love with this woman and when he sings "Come What May"? Damn, you have to have a heart of stone not to feel that."

"And Walk the Line?"

"For Walk the Line, the relationship is so full of problems and struggles, but they made a decision to be together." Sam chuckled. "Come what may." Mercedes felt her heart swoon.

"I liked Walk the Line too. As for Moulin Rouge, I'll have to watch it one day."

"What!" Sam screamed so loud into the phone, Mercedes jumped in her seat. "You've never seen it, Mercy?" Mercedes cringed under his questioning.

"No. I am more of a Fred Astaire-Ginger Roger girl. I have seen modern musical like Rent, Ray and Walk the Line. Just not that one. Please don't kill me." She heard Sam take many deep breaths and laughed hysterically at the phone at him.

"Ok. But please rent it. You won't regret it."

"Alright, I promise."

"You won't regret it. Trust me." There was a brief pause. "Mercy, I have to go, plus I don't want to keep you on the phone at work." Mercedes suddenly remembered that she was on the company phone.

"Oh yeah, you're right. I've just been having such a great time with you." Mercedes caught herself. She didn't mean to say that aloud.

"Yeah, me too. But then it's always easy with you. Listen, can I give you my cell number?" Mercedes agreed and they exchanged cell numbers. Sam knew that was a big step for her.

"Have a great night Mercy."

"You too Sam." Mercedes hung up the office phone, but stared at the phone for atleast five minutes afterwards.

Mercedes walked into her apartment building around 5:45pm. The rest of the day at work was pretty uneventful, which made the day linger even longer. She was happy to be home and slip into a nice long bath. Mercedes walked to her apartment door and found a small package taped to her door. Oh God, I hope this is not another naked picture of Noah on a rug or a couch or a car, knowing that idiot.

Mercedes picked up the package and entered her apartment.

After she threw her things on the coffee table, she plopped on the couch and opened the package. In it was a dvd of Moulin Rouge, a package of microwave popcorn, and two travel bottles of white zinfandel wine. A note was attached to the dvd, that read,

Mercy, I just couldn't let you go on without watching this movie. Enjoy it. The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. ~Sam

Mercedes ran her fingers over the handwritten note. Can this man be as sweet as he seems?

***For those wondering, the last line in Sam's note is from the movie Moulin Rouge. Tootles! xoxo