A/N: I don't own Glee! Thank you everyone for the amazing reviews. You are too much!
Chapter 10: River Deep, Mountain High
Mercedes stood in front of the mirror as Kurt and Brittany fussed over the column dress. The chapel length train covered in beading. She looked down at herself. The loose blue and white strapless gown was simple and elegant. She didn't need loud colors and crazy patterns anymore. She left that to Lady Gaga and Nikki Minaj.
"Hold still angel before I prick you with one of these pins." Kurt said "I swear Sam needs to let you come up for air. You're losing weight like crazy."
"If you lose another pound I'm not going to let you be the face of my summer line. It's too bad this season the focus is on leprechauns." Brittany said grinning, her voice still flat and monotone. Since Brittany started her line Unicorn Killer five years ago Mercedes had been the face of at least one season each year. She looked down as the blonde worked quickly to make sure the dress was perfect. Brittany's talent for fashion was always obvious, even in high school. The woman who still believed in Santa was one of the most talented and sought after designers to hit the runway. When asked about the name for her line she answered seriously "Its tongue in cheek." No one understood how deep her love for the mythical creatures ran.
"I can't help it, since the night of the engagement party Sam and I have been making up for lost time." Mercedes giggled, never revealing the small detail that they hadn't made love. It had been less than a month. They'd done other things; after all they were two red blooded humans. But Sam was the one who put the breaks on their sexual relationship. At first she took it as rejection. He'd shared his body with so many women, why not her? She understood when told her he wanted to make sure they were both ready. He confessed that he was nervous to make love to her. Sam wanted it to be perfect. She'd teased him at the time that he was more of a girl than she was.
She remembered to stay still. Today was the day of the Grammy's. They only had eight short hours to dress Mercy and then to get ready themselves. This was the first year almost the entire group would be in attendance together, and the first year Mercy was going to perform. She was involved in a tribute to Tina Turner, and she was up for a host of Grammys. She didn't expect to win but she was honored. To say she was nervous was an understatement.
"Okay, let's get you out of this dress M.J. and into your performance outfit." Brittany commanded. She slipped out of the dress, and into the next one. The gold and silver sequined tunic fell over her curves and stopped mid thigh. The long tulip sleeves and plunging neck line made Mercy feel like she was at Studio 54 in the 1970's. She nodded her approval and did a little spin.
"I need to see it with the shoes." She said gesturing to the embellished heels sitting at the foot of the mirror. Brittany opened the box and set them before her letting her slip her feet into the spiked heels.
"You look divine." Kurt said choking back a sob. "If you don't win anything they're going to kick themselves." Mercedes fanned at her face, taking a deep breath. She couldn't afford to cry, her makeup man had already gone.
"Kurt, stop with the flattery!" She said tilting her head back to let the tears run sideways. "Oh shit!" she screamed fanning her face. She grabbed for a tissue and was met with one as she dabbed at her foundation. Bruce would be there, but she wouldn't see him before the red carpet.
"Look at what you did Kurt, making me shed tears of joy!" She said grinning, and leaning in to hug him tight. She heard the elevator door open and Suzette; her maid came in carrying a vase full of peonies.
"These are from Senor Evans'" Suzette said putting the vase down. She gave Mercedes the card and walked out with a smile.
"Thank you Suzette!" She said opening the little envelope and reading the note scrawled in his masculine handwriting:
Dear M.J.,
You're going to knock those people dead tonight.
Think positive my sweet.
Oel ngati kameie,
Sammy Bear
Mercedes let the tears fall freely this time. She found herself unable to contain her emotions. Sniffling and shaking her head. "Bruce is going to kill me; I swear that boy is going to be the death of my makeup!" She said as she dabbed at her eyes passing the card to Kurt, and then Brittany.
"What does oel ngati...?" Brittany trailed off. "Mean?"
"It means "I see you" in Na'vi. It's a term of endearment." She said looking over her shoulder at Kurt and Brittany who sighed.
"I'll call Bruce and see if he can come by and touch up your face. I think your mascara is beyond repair sweetness. You're also about to lose an eyelash" Kurt said as he took his phone out. Within hours Mercedes was dressed, and ready to go. She took a deep breath as she stepped into the elevator and made her way down to the first floor. She felt like she was going to senior prom, only with more butterflies. She said a silent prayer and finished as the doors opened. She looked up to see a grinning Sam who held out what looked like iced tea.
"You probably need something stronger than champagne on your big night. I took the liberty of mixing you a long island iced tea." He said smirking. She took the drink and paused for a moment to rake her eyes over his body. She bit her lip involuntarily. He looked smashing in his Unicorn Killer tuxedo. Brittany insisted on designing it and she was pleased with the results. The slim cut was very Mad Men. She took a sip to steel her nerves.
"You look beautiful M.J." Sam said as he pulled her close. He gently pecked her cheek careful not to mess up her makeup. All she wanted to do was fist her hands on his hair and go in for a deeper kiss. "Did you get my flowers?" He purred softly into her ear, his eyes sparkling as she handed him the drink to sit down before she dropped it. He knew she'd been a powder keg of nerves and emotions. They were running late and needed to leave.
"They were perfect, thank you. I had to have Bruce come and redo my makeup because I couldn't stop crying." She said as he held the front door open for her. She felt his hand on the small of her back as he guided her towards the waiting town car. She would have gladly driven her Prius if they had a place for her to park it. The drive was quiet; Sam sat holding her hand as she leaned her head back. He knew what it was like to have to get your head in the game. Mercedes was grateful that he didn't ask her too many questions or take her silence as rejection. Rides with Shane were always like having a small child around. He often drove her to distraction with constant badgering and the need for attention. Sam was the antithesis of that. He was happy to be quiet with her, letting her prepare herself for the biggest night of her life. The car stopped and she opened her eyes she saw the cameras turned on the car and she took a deep breath.
"We're about to take a step that can't be untaken. Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked, her eyes were pleading with him to not reject her.
"I've been waiting to walk you down the red carpet." He said squeezing her hand and lightly pecking her lips. She ran her thumb over his lip cleaning off the lipstick that had been left behind. She leaned her forehead against his and smiled just taking a moment before straightening. He tapped on the window and the door opened. He swung his legs over and got out of the car standing to his full height. She followed taking his hand, the flash bulbs were blinding but Sam had his hand at her back guiding her towards the entrance. He never took his focus off of her and her safety. They stopped and spoke with different channels and magazines each one asking the same questions: What are you wearing? And how long have you and Sam Evans been an item? Most people knew who he was, but not what he meant to Mercy. She let him answer the last question and each time it was the same "We're together."
As they walked down the red carpet she knew he'd created a media shit storm and she didn't care. It may have been the mid 2000's but there was always backlash when people entered into interracial relationships. She'd seen it done to so many of her peers. She was glad he was strong. She knew in the morning most male DJ's would have something to say about Sam. He was perfect on the red carpet in every way. He stood out of the way while magazines snapped photos of her, and stepped in dutifully when they wanted a few shots of the couple.
Mercedes looked to her left when she heard him. Shane strode onto the red carpet like he owned it. He looked like the second coming of Biggie Smalls; she tried to look as elegant as possible in a gold dress that left little to the imagination. But it was obvious that the woman lacked taste. It looked like she was playing dress up. Mercy tried not to visibly scowl as she hurried off the red carpet. She was determined not to let him ruin her night. After the incident at the reunion the court of public opinion took Shane and his wife through hell. Shane was dropped by his team after the season ended, and Hallelujah was now part of a trashy reality show about ex-strippers who married successful athletes. The show wasn't going to be renewed after this season.
"Hey player!" She heard Shane say over the tops of the reporters' heads. "I see you couldn't leave my leftovers alone, even after high school. Don't worry; I broke that in good for you. Better watch your back though. She's a real bitch." Shane smirked and went back to talking to the reporters. Mercedes squeezed Sam's hand as she looked up at him. She couldn't believe Shane was going to make a scene. Sam's face was stone, the vein in his temple throbbing. She knew Sam would never publicly humiliate her the way Shane tried to. But she couldn't let him be disrespected in front of the world. Sam was her man, and she couldn't let him be humiliated on her account. He didn't deserve this.
Mercedes cleared her voice and looked to Shane, her hand on her hip. Sam squeezed her hand tightly. She looked up at him and he shook his head. She took a deep breath and smiled.
He wouldn't let her make a fool of herself, even for him. She looked to the cameras and smiled. She walked away bidding everyone a good night. Sam still had her hand, and he wasn't letting go. She knew what she'd done was the right thing. She'd been reserved for years for a reason. She kept quiet, letting people think what they wanted about her marriage. She was better than public altercations and name calling in the press.
Over the years radio hosts, and television personalities called her weak and a doormat for not discussing the end of her marriage the way Shane did. She never discussed it because it was no ones business. The people who mattered knew why it ended. It was no ones business that Shane hit her, controlled her, and eventually cheated on her. He was content to keep her and would have during the infidelity. But Hallelujah begged him to divorce Mercedes. She felt her phone buzz with Google alerts. There was no doubt a person like Wendy or Joan was calling her "Doormat Diva" or "Meek Mercedes" as she was aptly nicknamed. Not all of the publicity she received was good. She didn't want to see the backlash of keeping quiet tonight. All she wanted to do was enjoy her evening with Sam.
They made their way to their seats and she took a deep breath. Relaxing as she looked to Sam who smiled and kissed her bare shoulder, his fingers laced possessively through hers. They sat through the first half of the program before she was summoned to the back stage area. Kurt, Tina, and Rachel waited patiently for her as she made her way to the small dressing area. Kurt helped her slip out of her gown while Rachel yelled at her.
"What were you thinking Mercedes?" Rachel asked her voice shrill. She was no longer Rachel friend; she was Rachel Berry-Hudson public relations pit-bull. "You take Sam on the red carpet without discussing a strategy with me? And what was that shit with Shane? You better thank God that you pay me well!"
Mercedes glared at Rachel as her dress was slipped over her head and her battery pack was clipped under her clothes. "As far as Sam goes, he is not a pawn in a chess match. He is a person, and I care about him. The world has been ready to see me with someone for over a year. Sam is the perfect guy for that because he's the right guy for me." She said as she let her hair fall from its stiff up do. "As far as Shane goes you know not to go there Rachel. You know why I keep quiet. The end of my marriage is no ones business. I know you want me to tell everyone what an abused and unappreciated wife I was because that will put me in a much more positive light. But my personal life is not something I want to air to the public. I'm better than that. I'll share anything else with the public Rachel but not the end of my damn marriage. Now if you'll excuse me I have a performance." Mercedes turned on her heel and sauntered out of the dressing room and down the hall towards the stage.
She was mentally preparing herself for her first performance. Tina fell in stride next to her squeezing her hand. It felt like only yesterday she was standing in the music room of McKinley High singing this song with Santana. Now she was going to follow Florence Welch's version of What's Love (Got to do With It). She only had a few minutes before she went on stage for the first time since her injury. She stood at the top of the long staircase praying to God she wouldn't fall and her voice wouldn't fail her. She took a deep breath, and made sure her microphone was on before she belted out the first verse to the song.
"When I was a little girl
I had a rag doll the only doll
I ever owned
Now I love you just the way I love that rag doll
But only now my love has grown.
And it gets stronger, in every way
And it gets deeper, let me say
And it gets higher, day by day
And do I love you, my oh my
Yeh river deep, mountain high
If I lost you would I cry?
Oh how I love you baby, baby baby, baby!
She walked across the stage her voice belting out the song she'd sung effortlessly in the shower many times as a girl, her eyes searched for Sam. His face would calm the nerves and all the love and care in his eyes could make her fears about the future melt away. She sauntered onto the catwalk, her back up dancers behind her; the crowd was a blur as she moved in time with them. She put her all into this performance. She wanted to show America that she was back. As soon as she slowed down, she knew exactly where to find him. His face was in the third row staring back up at her. He was on his feet dancing, and clapping. She finished in off the song; hitting the "glory note" she was still known for:
When you were a young boy
Did you have a puppy
That always followed you around
Well I'm going to be as faithful as that puppy
No I'll never let you down
Cause it grows stronger, like a river flows
And it gets bigger baby, heaven knows
And it gets sweeter baby, as it grows
And do I love you, my oh my
Yeh, river deep mountain high
And if I lost you would I cry
Oh how I love you baby, baby, baby, baby
The moment was over before it began. She took a deep bow and walked off handing her microphone and battery pack to the production assistant. She could still hear the applause. She was greeted with hugs and squeals of delight. After Bruce reapplied her makeup she scurried back to her seat. She didn't bother to change into the stuffy beaded dress again. Sam took her hand squeezing it and smiling. "You were wonderful, M.J. I remember seeing you and Santana perform that song. That was the day I got a really good look at your perfect ass." he said kissing her soundly, she took a deep breath as he bit her lower lip.
She sat back in her seat, smiling and preparing to get comfortable until she heard her name. Sam's arm pushed her up made her realize what was going on. "You won baby!" He said as he pushed her up and out of her seat again "Go! Go!" She made her way to the stage, barely able to control her tears as she ran up the steps. "Holy crap" She said into the microphone as John Legend handed her the award for Record of the Year. "I didn't even write a speech for tonight. But let's keep it short and sweet. I'd like to thank God, my family, my wonderful friends, my dream team, to Sam who has whipped me back into shape. Without any of you this never would have been possible". She said looking right at him. "We did it!" She said exiting the stage and making her way to him again. The awards kept coming that night Mercy won six Grammy's including Best Vocal Pop Album and Song of the Year.
After the press conferences and extra speeches all Mercy wanted to do was go home and make love to Sam. But she settled for a quick make-out session behind a huge statue away from the prying eyes of photographers. He made her feel like a teenager as he ran his hand up the side of her dress, caressing her thigh. The rough kisses and lip biting made her purr. She was putty in his hands.
"We have to go!" She murmured still not fully believing her own words. His free hand squeezed her bare thigh. He hitched her leg up over his hip as he ground into her. He wasn't going to let her go any time soon.
"Just a few more minutes you shouldn't have changed into thigh high boots if you wanted to get away from me." He whispered as he attacked her neck. Kissing, biting, and sucking the sensitive skin just behind her hair that no one would see.
"Samuel Michael Evans, did you just give me a hickey?" She growled her hand flying to her neck.
"Damn right I did. Same place I always marked you. That's my spot." His eyes held that look she missed, the one that said they belonged to each other. She giggled and pulled him closer. Sam had always been possessive but never mean or controlling. He kissed her again before pulling her dress down and smoothing her hair for her. She in turn rubbed the gloss from his lips. He made it difficult by nibbling her fingers.
"We'll finish this later." She said smacking him on the ass.
Mercedes was obligated to go to an after party hosted by E! If she had to be there she planned to spend her evening dancing with Sam, and he friends. Shane had a different idea. She sauntered in on his arm still high on her wins that evening and the kiss she shared with Sam. Shane arrived before she did, and Mercy didn't see his wife anywhere in the room. Sam moved to the bar to get their drinks after many assurances from Mercy that she would be fine on her own. She made her way towards her friends but should have known Shane would get in her way.
"Remember what I told you, Mercedes?" Shane said, taking her by the arm. She could smell the liquor on his breath. This is how it always started.
"Let me go Shane." She said jerking her arm away.
"No you uppity bitch, remember what I told you. If you don't get rid of that white boy I'll end him." He said glaring down at her. "Now you better fucking smile for these cameras and act like we're best fuckin' friends." He said turning to the camera and smiling. She did the same, her arm was starting to ache and her fingers were starting to tingle.
"Shane let me go!" She said jerking again after all of the camera men left. His grip only tightening on her arm her fingers were almost numb.
"You even hint that something is wrong and I'll break your fucking jaw. I own your career, I made you. I'll end it." He spat down at her. She turned to see Sam making his way towards them. She was terrified of what Shane would do to Sam.
"Shane, get your hands off of her." Sam's voice was low; he didn't want to cause a scene.
"What the fuck are you going to do Evans? Look at you, parading my leftovers around just like you did in high school. I may have divorced this bitch but I own her. I say who she dates and who she fucks. It won't be you. Don't bother me and mine." Shane spat releasing Mercedes and shoving her to the side.
"I've been nice about this. I've stayed out of your business. But that woman over there doesn't belong to anyone. She chose you for a small time, but you threw her away for whatever it is you're married to now. She chose me. So stop trying to control her. You're going to learn that the hard way, or the easy way." Sam's voice was still low. He was trying his best to avoid making a scene and embarrassing Mercedes. Shane always used brute force and bullying to get his way, even in private. Sam was taught to use his words first and his fists last. He didn't want to hurt Shane, Mercedes knew that. But as she stood there holding her throbbing arm she wished Sam would hurt him the way he'd hurt her so many times. Shane stood toe to toe with Sam unbuttoning his suit jacket.
"Let me tell you what's going to happen Evans. First I'm going to beat your ass. Then I'm going to beat her ass." He said pointing to Mercedes. "See, the way I see it you've both embarrassed me. No one embarrasses Shane Tinsley." Shane took the first swing. Sam dodged it quickly. He moved around Shane, determined to end this quickly. Sam jumped on the large man punching him repeatedly in the face. He tackled him to the ground holding him still as he continued to beat him.
The security guards sat by and watched them beat each other up. Even stepping in front of the fight so no one could see what was happening, and making sure there were no pictures. Shane was known for being a hot head and seeing him grab Mercedes they decided it was best that someone taught Shane a lesson. Sam stood up brushing his hair from his eyes. His knuckles were bloodied and swollen, his lip was busted, and Shane landed a few punches to his ribs. Mercy wanted to stand over his body and scream that he got knocked the fuck out. But she had a busted up man to attend to. They made a quick exit through the back door. His arm draped around her neck.
A/N: I had to have a little Shane revenge. I know there are some Shane lovers out there. Sorry for bashing him and turning him into a monster. But I felt like he needed one more good whoppin'! Read, review, critique, suggest! Until next time lovelies.