A/N: Hey guys! So here the 2nd to last post for this story. I really do hope that you've enjoyed them. I know that it's helped me a great deal and I just wanted to do the same for you.
Happy Reading!
And as always, REVIEWS = LOVE!
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own: Glee, characters, place from it, Someone's Watching Over Me by Hilary Duff or anything else you can find out side of fandom.
THIS FANFICTION IS UNBETA'D BUT PROOFREAD. ALL REMAINING MISTAKES ARE UNINTENTIONAL. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
When Mercedes stood up, Sam was still holding her hand. She blinked a few times, gave him a weak smile then headed toward the stage. She had a brief conversation with the band before she stood center stage. She took a deep breath before she spoke, "Being up here has never been hard for me. I'm a performer. The stage is where I need to be." She paused briefly and wiped her eyes. "When I first joined glee club I made it perfectly clear that I ain'ts no Kelly Rowland," she joked wagging her index finger, Rachel, Tina, Artie and Kurt laughed at the memory. "But unfortunately, that declaration fell on deaf ears. Enter The Troubletones." Mercedes said with a small smile. "It was mine and San's time to shine. It was time for Brittany's dancing to be showcased, not just Mike's. No offense," she said. Mike just shrugged. "Anyway, you guys, I guess weren't overly concerned with the competition but Finn was. He spent most of the time that we were separated trying to get us to come back, but when we wouldn't, he encouraged us to follow our hearts and do what we needed to do. Not to mention, the day after Sam came back Finn came over to my house," she informed them. "He told me that he didn't just bring Sam back for the New Directions. Sectionals was whatever but love – love was something special so he brought Sam back for me. He wanted me to not be afraid of what was in my heart and be with the man that made me better, that made me feel like the Mercedes I saw in the mirror. I, of course, didn't listen right away but Finn never let me forget that I had options. Then when I broke up with Shane and I told Sam that he and I couldn't be together and I sang the world's greatest and saddest love song to him, Finn came to visit me again. This time he told me that just because I broke up with Shane doesn't mean that I'm allowed to ignore my feelings for Sam, I again didn't listen right away but thankfully Sam must've had a little birdie in his ear because he forced me to look in my heart," Mercedes began to cry. "I found Sam there and we had this whole on again off again, on again and then we broke up one more time in New York until finally, when I was on the road with my girls and Santana said, 'Finn told you to not be afraid of what was in you heart; so why are you not with Sam?' That literally stopped me in my tracks. I had forgotten that he said that. I knew right then I need to fix it and make it right. I did and I feel like it's because Finn was still looking out for me; helping me make the right decisions for my life," she wiped her eyes and sighed, "I chose this song because it's perfect. It's out of my ordinary wheelhouse but the song is beautiful," she said. "This is for you, Finn," she said as she pointed to the band. They began to play a melodious ballad.
I found myself today
Oh I found myself and ran away
But something pulled me back
The voice of reason I forgot I had
Mercedes crooned softly, her hands gripping the sides of her leather jacket.
All I know is you're not here to say
What you always used to say
But it's written in the sky tonight
She sang as she closed her eyes and the tears began to roll again.
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
She could hear the sniffling of her friends but she knew she had to hold it together. Mercedes took a very deep breath before continuing.
I've seen that ray of light
And it's shining on my destiny
Shining all the time and I won't be afraid
To follow everywhere it's taking me
She sang as the tempo picked up a little bit. She hadn't realized it but she did believe that Finn was her ray of light shining on her all the time.
All I know is yesterday is gone
And right now I belong
To this moment to my dreams
Mercedes vocalized her eyes still closed.
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
She sang powerfully.
It doesn't matter what people say
And it doesn't matter how long it takes
Believe in yourself and you'll fly high
And it only matters how true you are
Be true to yourself and follow your heart
Mercedes belted, her hands over her heart. The tears were streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks as the tempo slowed down again.
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
She crooned as the music moved in to a crescendo.
That I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even when it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
That someone's watching over, someone's watching over
Someone's watching over me
Mercedes sang with the full power of her voice. She couldn't stop crying but the song was almost over and she wanted to...no needed to finish it for Finn. She wiped the tears away and continuing with verve.
Oh-oh yeah oh-oh
Someone's watching over me
The song ended and Mercedes looked up at the sky with watery eyes. She exited the stage and Sam was waiting for her with open arms. She leaned into his embrace as they took to their seats again. The room was silent as they all waited for the final person to head to the stage.