Title: Like Home

Characters: Sam E./Mercedes J.

Summary: Mercedes and Sam reconnect after she returns to Lima for the final stop on her national mall tour.

Word Count: 3295


"Hi…"

"Hey..."

Sam and Mercedes were sitting across from each other at Breadstix.

Mercedes bit her lip, and sat up in her seat.

The tail end of her national mall tour with Santana and Brittany had brought her right back to Lima, Ohio where they performed their last show. To her surprise and delight, Sam had been in the audience standing front and center waving at her when she looked out into the crowd. Each and every song, he cheered the loudest and danced the best he could to show her how much he supported her. Throughout the entire show, Sam never took his eyes off her once, nor did he when they finally sat face to face after several months apart.

"You look good."

Mercedes glanced at him and chuckled. If she could blush, she would. The way he was looking at her alone made her stomach flutter.

When he met her after the show, he suggested they go out to eat and catch up. She agreed and years later, here they were sitting exactly where they had before junior prom on their very first date.

"Thanks…" Mercedes replied, "You do too."

Sam's smile broke into a wide grin. "Do you think I look as sexy as I think you do?"

"Um…" Mercedes shifted again and tried to adjust her posture to channel the sex goddess Santana told her she should exude but her elbow clumsily knocked over her glass of water instead. Right into Sam's lap.

"Oh! Shoot! I'm so sorry Sam!" She got up in a hurry to help him clean up but he wouldn't let her.

"Don't worry, I got it…."

She stood back as he used a napkin to sop up the liquid. Mortified, Mercedes took her seat and cursed herself for being such a klutz.

She covered her face with her hands in shame. She felt like crying.

"Hey, don't do that..." She felt Sam's large palm reach out and stroke her wrist ever so gently.

She opened her eyes to his large green ones filled with concern.

"But your jeans…I'm so sor-"

He cut her off. "It's just water, Mercedes. It'll dry up," he finished, smiling at her.

She smiled back but she knew she needed to get a grip.

Mercedes shook her body, hoping to get over whatever it was that was making her so darn nervous.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why but ever since you showed up to my concert… I've been so nervous."

Sam frowned slightly. "Why would you be nervous?"

"Because…"

"Because what…?"

Mercedes closed her eyes and her lips curled into a tiny smile. She shook her head. "I don't know...us meeting up again… like this. I wasn't sure what it would be like."

"What did you want it to be like?"

She took a minute to think before coming up short. "I don't know… not like this though."

Sam stared back at her pensive. "Let's get out of here…"

"Wait...what? Why? The food hasn't even come yet…"

"Exactly… so it's not like we're skipping out on the bill," Sam teased. Before she could respond he was up and by her side with his hand held out.

She stared at it awaiting his direction.

"Do you trust me?"

She didn't hesitate. "Of course."

"Then let's get out of here, Princess."

Mercedes took one more long look at his warm and inviting smile before taking his hand and grabbing her purse. Soon enough they were out the door.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Sam...you know I don't really like surprises…"

"Well you'll like this one, trust me."

"Okay."


Sam pulled up outside his apartment and killed the gas. Before Mercedes could hop out of the truck, he was on the other side holding the door open for her.

She smiled and took his hand as she jumped down.

They walked hand in hand to the front door, letting go only for a minute as Sam searched under a plant pot for his key. He opened the door and flicked on the light revealing a humble but cozy apartment.

"This is really nice," Mercedes remarked after slipping off her shoes. She folded her arms across her chest and glanced around.

"Thanks… you can take a look around. Mi casa es su casa."

Mercedes accepted the invitation, her curiosity getting the better of her as Sam sauntered off into the kitchen for some drinks.

"You have a preference?" he called from the kitchen.

"What've you got?" she responded as she examined the framed photographs on his walls. Several of them were various locations from their time in New York.

Their old townhouse...

The Spotlight Diner...

The Brooklyn Bridge...

"Beer, merlot...whiskey?"

"I'll take the merlot. Neat."

"You got it."

She took a seat on his couch and waited as he emerged from the kitchen area with two glasses. He handed one to her and they clinked glasses before each taking a sip.

"So…"

"Hmmm?"

"Your surprise?"

"Right...right…" Sam placed his glass on the coffee table before getting up from his seat. "Follow me."

He led her to a small room where the walls were completely covered with photographs.

"I'm glad to see you're still being creative."

He chuckled. "When I was in New York, things were always too loud or moving too fast...Art was the only way I could clear my head and calm all my internal tension. Sometimes that was through painting or sketching. Other times it was through macaroni art but most times it was photography. One snap and I'd created something unique….especially depending on how I developed the film."

He led her further, across the room near a partition before he stopped. "When I left New York, I thought I'd feel better. Things would be quieter and slower back here in Lima, but when I finally got back, things didn't feel right. It was the same old Lima, but things felt different. I didn't understand why until I started taking pictures again and then art found a way to help me through those feelings too…"

He grabbed a large envelope from behind the partition and held it up. "I took a some pictures a few days after I got back. Nothing too crazy, a few shots around McKinley, Downtown Lima and the park but when I finally developed the film, I found these."

He pulled out a few large glossy prints. When he turned them around, Mercedes gasped. They were various images of her. Her preparing breakfast in their kitchen back in New York. Her petting McConaughey. Her fast asleep on their couch.

"Oh gosh Sam… when did you even take these?"

"When I was trying out the new lens… on many different occasions, obviously…They're all candids but I think those are the best kind of pictures…" He rubbed the back of his neck suddenly slightly embarrassed when a thought hit him. "I hope you don't think that they're creepy or something..."

"No, not creepy at all," Mercedes smiled. "I love them."

Sam grinned immediately relieved. "Good. The thing is when I found these photos, they made things around here feel more like home."

Mercedes looked up from the photographs in her hand and smiled at Sam. "Really?"

"Yea… things aren't the same without you around. When you're gone, it's like...something's missing. Don't get me wrong… these photos are nothing compared to the real deal, but they were better than having nothing at all…"

When he trailed off, Mercedes stepped closer to him. She pulled him in for a hug. Sam wrapped his long arms around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her hair. They fit together perfectly, like they always did.

"Sam?"

"Yea…?"

"About earlier… this is going to sound so silly…"

"No go ahead."

"I was so nervous about us meeting again."

He released her so that he could look her in the eye. "Why?"

"I don't know…Like I said I wasn't sure what it would be like when I saw you again, but I thought about it every night we were apart. At first, I was certain that we would click like nothing had ever changed because we loved each other and we were serious about one another. But as time went on, I became less and less sure... I wasn't sure if you'd feel the same way you did all those months ago...and most importantly, I wasn't sure how I'd react if you didn't…"

When a tear rolled down Mercedes' cheek, Sam reached out and wiped it away with his thumb. He touched her face with his other hand, holding it up so that they were face to face. "I have thought about you every single day since you left. Nothing has changed for me and nothing will. I haven't even thought about other girls. Even when a few of them came my way, I always found myself thinking about you and what you were up to. There's no use in denying it, there isn't anyone else out there for me. This is it for me, Mercedes. We were silly to break up in New York. I thought it was the best thing at the time because you did and I trust your judgement but I realize now that you were wrong."

Mercedes stared back at him wordlessly taking in everything he was saying. Every word warmed her heart and every doubt she had about them faded away.

"I know… when I went on tour with Santana and Brittany, there were guys after the show who would come onto me, but I could never bring myself to get with them. I missed you. Really really missed you. And you're right, I thought I was doing the right thing by setting you free, but I was wrong and I'm sorry we never tried a long distance relationship. I know how hard it was for you and I didn't think it was fair for you to wait for me when I wouldn't be ready to go all the way."

Sam smiled softly at Mercedes as he reached out and caressed her cheek. "Baby, I would've waited forever for you if it meant we'd still be together. I told you before but I'll say it again, I can live without sex but I can't live without you and I know that I've been with my share of girls, but none of them even begin to measure up to you or how I feel when I'm with you." He reached out and grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. "Can you feel that? That's my heart on fire."

Mercedes' eyes glistened with tears of joy. Sam always knew just what to say to melt her heart. His warm green eyes held her gaze as he moved closer to her and rested his hands on her waist. His lips were right there, lonely as ever so Mercedes got on her tippy toes and kissed them. Sam returned the passion tenfold. He hoisted her up in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her fingers play with the hairs at the nape of his neck. Just like puzzle pieces, the curves of her body quickly found their place with his. There was no denying that with him, she felt like she was home. It didn't take long before they were on his couch making out just like when they were back in the brownstone in New York City, doing their best to get as close as they could to one another without disturbing Blaine. Only this time, Mercedes didn't want to come up for air. She felt like she was right where she was supposed to be, nestled under Sam, with her legs wrapped around his thighs and her hands gently playing with his hair as his lips showed her just how much he missed her.

When they finally came up for air, Sam positioned himself as the big spoon and wrapped his protective arms around her as she cuddled closer to him. He kissed her gently on the forehead before resting his chin in her hair and breathing in deeply. He smiled as he exhaled. Everything was perfect.

"Sam?"

"Yea?"

"I've never loved anyone as much as I love you . And even though it was me who ended it all three times, every single time, it pained me to let you go...but I always did it because I felt like it was the right thing for you...and for us."

"I know…"

"I never wanted it to get to the point where you resented me because you were stuck in a relationship with a girlfriend who lived too far away to feel like one. I never wanted you to grow to hate me for not being around, especially when things like school dances and proms came around…or if you were going through a tough time and I couldn't hold you or kiss you and tell you everything was going to be okay. I-I couldn't do that to you," Mercedes whispered, her voice cracking as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Shhh shhhh…" Sam replied wiping her tears away. "I know...It would've been hard on both of us no matter what we chose to do. I don't blame you for any of it. You know, I never really told you but when I was going through a tough time senior year, it was you that comforted me."

"Really?"

"Yea, that video that Blaine made… it meant everything to me to see your face there saying you supported me."

Mercedes shifted to face Sam. "Of course I supported you. That's how we always did it. That's why we work so well together. You know, it's funny..." she trailed off.

Sam gently nudged her. "What is?"

Mercedes closed her eyes and smiled as she shook her head. "The fact that I convinced myself that I was going back to New York to work on my album and get a sound the producers would love. Truth is, I came back for you."

Sam's lips spread into a wide grin. "Really?"

Mercedes nodded and chuckled.

"How did you even know I was going to be in New York?"

"A little birdy told me."

"Who? Tina?"

Mercedes giggled. "No, Rachel."

"Really?"

"Really," Mercedes laughed. "C'mon, you know that's not the first time that girl has played matchmaker for us."

"That's true," Sam agreed. "We kind of have her to thank for hooking us up in the first place huh?"

"Yea," Mercedes smiled. "I guess we do."

"Is there anything else that I don't know about from before you showed up in New York?"

"Well… there's the fact that I checked up on you from time to time…"

"Is that so?"

"Yea… I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay."

"Okay, how'd you do it? Tina?"

Mercedes laughed. "Yes Tina. Blaine was also in on it."

"Seriously?"

"Yea. You didn't think he just reached out to me at random did you?"

"Yea, actually I did," Sam chuckled. "And since we're admitting things, I guess I should tell you that I also had a spy."

Mercedes squinted at him before realization hit. "Oh my gosh, Puck?!"

Sam nodded, then laughed.

"I knew he was up to something when he kept showing up at my place!"

"Well I didn't say my spy was as good as yours."

"I'm actually flattered you did. It's kind of sweet."

"It would've been better if we just talked to each other instead."

"Why didn't you?"

"Honestly, because it hurt too much and I wasn't sure where we stood after I started seeing Brittany."

"It hurt when I found out about that, I'm not going to lie…but I did let you go so..."

A silence washed over them as Mercedes' words hung in the air.

Sam finally broke it.

"You know what I'm grateful for?"

Mercedes looked up at him and shook her head. "What?"

"New York and every chance we ever got to make this work."

"Sam…"

"I think it's a sign that we always find our way back to each other. Even when things seem like the end, we always get another chance to try again."

"Don't you ever worry that we break up so many times because it's a sign that it's not supposed to be us in the end?"

"I don't… Look, I don't know what the future holds and you and I both know what our past looks like, but one thing I'm certain of is that this thing we have right here right now feels right. Like at this exact moment, this is exactly where we're supposed to be. And of course the future can change, but right now I'm also certain that I want to be right there with you and I want you to be right there with me."

"Sam…"

"If I could wake up every morning and see your face, I'll feel like the luckiest man in the entire world. If I could go to bed every night and hold you just like this, I know I'll also be the happiest. The truth is that even though nothing is certain and the future isn't constant, my love for you Mercedes, is."

Sam began to sit up in the couch and Mercedes followed suit. He reached deep into his jean pocket and fished out a box. Mercedes gasped and covered her mouth.

"Sam...is that a-"

Sam got off the couch and down on one knee and took her left hand in his. Mercedes' eyes glistened with tears. "Do you still love me?"

"Yes…" Mercedes admitted. "I never stopped loving you."

Sam's eyes shone with tears. He was shaking. He had had plenty of practice for this very moment, but this time he felt would be the final time. "Do you think you could love me for the rest of our lives?"

Mercedes nodded as tears fell down her brown cheeks. "Yes...I know I can."

Sam breathed in relieved as he prepared to ask his final question. "Then Mercedes Jones, will you do me the honor of being my wife? I-I know you said someday in the future, but I figure why wait right? If we know it's right for us, then what are we waiting for? I know I can't live without you, please tell me you feel the same…"

Mercedes nodded vigorously and wiped her cheeks as tears continued to fall from her eyes. "Yes! Yes I'll marry you!"

"Yea?" Sam asked as tears began to fall from his own eyes.

"Yes," Mercedes repeated kissing his lips. "Yes...yes...yes!"

Sam did his best to slip the engagement ring onto her finger, a task that proved to be difficult with the way his hands were shaking. As soon as it was on, he hopped up from the floor and pulled Mercedes up from the sofa and into his arms. He held her tightly and spun her around and around. He kissed her lips tenderly as he placed her back onto the couch. He hovered over her for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view of his sexy, future wife. He kissed her again more passionately until she held out a hand to stop him. She sat up and began to unbutton her blouse, the look in her eye telling him all he needed to know. Tonight was going to be the night. She wrapped her arm around his neck pulling him close to her and kissed his lips. It felt different, deeper and more intimate than it ever did before and Sam was more than ready to explore this new territory because their future together was sealed and she was officially his.