Stranger Things part 13

"Where did you get this!?" Sue picked up a dozen photos in her hand, each of them depicting her in the nude. "How did you know about these?"

She was sure that she had gotten rid of all of them off from the Internet and all the magazines she had found and burned.

Rachel sat down, delighted at seeing the fear on Sue's face. Finally she would know how it would feel being backed up against the wall. "A very special hacker found them for me."

Sue threw the photos down at her desk. "So you're going to blackmail me with these?"

"Yep, you're going to get the glee club back up and running or these photos will be out for the world to see."

"You're really serious?"

"More serious than I've ever been in my life. I've finally got one on you Sue and there's nothing that you can do about it."

Sue narrowed her eyes. "I'm not a person that you should mess with Rachel. Ever."

Mercedes sat up in bed, breathing heavily. She could still feel the touch of his hands on her body. His warm breath on her neck. She shook her head. It was just dream. Just a dream about her and Sam getting married. She buried her knees under her chin. This was the seventh time she had dreamt about marrying him. The first time had been after their breakup. Her heart was cruel.

She sat up rubbing her eyes remembering that awful night. Sam had been crying pleading with her not to do this. She had screamed at him, and told him to get out. Sam had been lying to her for months. How could she trust him?

He had also moved out that night as well. He had come down the steps a bag slung over his shoulders. She was expecting him to leave without a word but he had came back into the living room where she had been sitting motionless on the couch. "Mercedes" he had said his voice breaking. "I'm never going to stop loving you. I'm going to wait for you to come around, no matter how long it takes." Before she could respond he had planted a kiss on her lips. Then he'd left.

"You didn't wait for me you jerk," she mumbled tears brimming her eyes. She rubbed her eyes again. He'd obviously moved on with Rachel. Could she blame him? She had been the one to let him go, how could she have not expect him to move on? But deep down in her heart she always knew, Sam would be hers. Now he was with Rachel. She didn't know what hurt more. Losing Sam to Rachel or Rachel's betrayal. How could she have looked her in the eye say those things to her? How could someone you once valued as a friend be that malicious? The thing that really got to her was finding out that Rachel had never really been a friend to her at all. She had advised her to break up with Sam and like a fool she had listened.

Kurt's words from last night echoed. If you want Sam then you can just take them back. Was it so simple? She could have him back just like that? She didn't know if she had the strength. Then there was another problem. Jesse.

She sighed remembering their kiss from last night. He had been so gentle and so understanding. So different from Sam...

"Finally up huh?" Kurt had poked his head in. "I bought us lunch."

Mercedes checked the clock hung up on her wall. It was ten minutes to two. "Kurt, why didn't you wake me up?"

"I ah... didn't want to disturb you from your dreams." He gave her a big grin and laughed as he went back into the kitchen.

Mercedes groaned. She could be a little bit vocal in her sleep sometimes. God knows what Kurt heard. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and joined Kurt in her kitchen. She sat at the table where a plate was already set for her. Chowmein with jumbo shrimp on the side. She dipped one of them into the red sauce. It was heaven.

" This new Asian place just opened and I had to try them." Kurt tried some of the shrimp as well. His eyes rolled back at the taste. "Why didn't I become a chef?"

" For the same reason I didn't become a pro wrestler." She chuckled. That had been her big dream when she was six.

" I could have excelled and been another Gordon Ramsey."

" Sadly you're still in Glee Club."

Kurt shrugged, twisting the fried noddles around his fork. " Only for my studies. It's going great by the way. You should swing by and see how the glee club is doing."

Mercedes shook her head. "Nope. Rachel is there and I don't want to be committed for murder." She didn't want to admit it but Rachel's words had gotten to her last night. An awful feeling swelled in her stomach when ever she thought of Rachel getting her hooks into Sam. Just seeing her face again, she would lose it. How pathetic. She was afraid of getting a verbal tongue lashing by Rachel Berry.

"You should still come. You're an alumni. A very successful one I might add. Forget about Rachel and just come." Kurt seemed jittery.

"What is it Kurt?"

It took awhile before he answered. "Okay I kind of promised the kids that you would personally come down and meet them."

"Is that all? They just want to meet me?"

Kurt nodded while playing around with his food. "You don't have to sing if you don't want to but they really just want your autograph, say some inspiring words..."

Mercedes thought about it for a second. She really wanted to stay in for the day, shut herself in her room and be closed off to the world. But her friend was asking her a favour. "Okay I'll do it."

"Yes!" Kurt smiled. A little too eager.

" Kurt, you're not up to something are you?"

Kurt looked offended. " Why would you think that?"

" Sam. I know he's the coach there." She still couldn't believe Sam was working as a coach. It wasn't what he had wanted for himself. " You're not gonna lock us up in a closet or something like that are you?"

Kurt placed a hand on his chest. " I swear I am not up to anything." He took a sip of Pepsi. " Unless you want me to..."

Mercedes laughed, and reached over and pinched his cheek. " I'm serious Kurt, no games."

" Mercedes."

" Look I'm glad that you care so much about us but the fact that you think that you have to play tricks to get us together , really says something." If Sam really wanted her, he would have come after her. And there was no way she was gonna chase after someone that didn't want her, even though her heart was telling her to. Kurt grabbed her hand and looked her point blank in the eye.

" I understand Mercedes but I'm not playing games. I would never with you. I love you too much okay?"

Mercedes smiled glad to have a friend like Kurt in her life. " Thanks sweetie. Gonna so shower now."

" K, remember to dress sexy."

" Kurt..."

" Okay okay, ha ha."

They arrived at Mckinley at four. Kurt dropped Mercedes off at the entrance while he parked his car. She could hear the football team practising in the distance. She could hear Sam coaching his team. Every fiber in her being wanted her to walk to that football field and see Sam. Just one glimpse. Why was she so weak when it came to him. Damn it. She saw Kurt running up to her. Thank god.

"You ready Diva."

"Hell yeah," she said wanting to get inside as quickly as possible.

A wave of nostalgia hit her as they walked down the empty hall of McKinley. So much has changed, and so much has happened since they graduated. She almost wished she could go back to that time.

Kurt had told her to wait outside and wait for his signal. She heard Kurt say that he had a special guest that he wanted them to meet. She heard her name being called and she stepped into the classroom shyly.

"Hi guys,"

At first there was complete silence but then she was bombarded with hugs and kisses.

"Oh my god it's really you!" Jane clapped her hands in excitement.

Mercedes looked over at Kurt who had a bring grin on his face. He gave her a thumbs up. Man it was fun talking to these kids. They hung on her every word , one of them was even taking notes.

"Can you sing us a song?" The girl who had asked was named Madison.

"Nah you don't wanna hear me croak," she joked.

"Please sing for us Mercedes." They all looked at her as some angel who was ready to bless them.

"Okay I'll sing. But only if Kurt agrees to sing with me."

Kurt sent her a big smile. "I'm not sure they're ready for two Diva's Mercedes."

"Hell yeah we are!" Some guy Spencer shouted. "Let's go."

At their request they performed her hit single Shakin' my head. God it felt so great performing for them. She was humbled. She had been in their shoes not too long ago. She beckoned the kids to join in and they all sang in their own tune. Everyone danced and laughed while singing the lyrics, even off key. At the end all of them belted out the last note.

"They are so gonna love me now," Kurt whispered in her ear. "Thanks for coming babe."

"Anytime."

"Wow what did I miss?"

Rachel came into the choir room and smiled at Kurt and Mercedes.

"The Lovely miss Mercedes Jones just performed with us." Mason looked at Mercedes with reverence.

"She's a great singer isn't she." Rachel made her way through the crowd of students and hugged her. She addressed the students with her hand still around Mercedes. Mercedes was to numb to react to anything.

That was just like Rachel. Act as if anything had never happen and have anything swept under the rug. She played along as the kids asked them questions about their old rivalry in the glee club and how it was being in New York. It hurt to remember those times.

"It's time for Mercedes to go guys." Kurt to the rescue. "Say your goodbyes."

Rachel removed her hand and was instantly shoved out of the way by the glee club members who wanted to hug Mercedes one last time. Mercedes gave Kurt a hug and left the room. She needed to get out of here before she blew a gasket. Her skin was crawling. She heard footsteps behind her.

'Wait." Mercedes turned to see Rachel.

"Mercedes I just wanted to thank you..." she faltered. Mercedes's entire demeanor had changed. Her stance was rigid, and the smile she'd had on for the kids had turned into a straight line. Her eyes were filled with hatred. And they were aimed at Rachel.

"Save it," she hissed. "I played my part in there, so drop the act."

With that being said Mercedes turned on her heels and left.

"Bitch," Rachel muttered. She had tried to make amends but Mercedes had shot her down. Who was the one being problematic now. She headed into the teacher's lounge where she found Kurt sitting at a table ready to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"So you invited Mercedes?"

Kurt's hand stilled and he set down the flask. "Yes, I did, was that a problem?"

Rachel detected the bite in Kurt's tone and said "No it was a great idea," she grabbed a cup and poured herself some coffee. "The kids loved it."

Kurt appeared skeptacle. "You really expect me to believe that Rachel?"

Rachel sighed drumming her fingers on her cup. "Yes, I'm not some vindictive person."

"Mercedes told me what you said to her last night at the wedding."

Rachel looked down at her coffee as Kurt watched her silently.

Rachel raised the cup to her lips. "Look, I probably shouldn't have said it the way I said it. But it was the truth."

Kurt scowled. "Rachel, you shamed her for not giving it up to Sam. You made her feel worthless."

"What about how she made me feel!" She set down her cup with a little force. "She slapped me for being with Sam. I couldn't believe that she would do that to me. We were such good friends."

Kurt restrained himself from throwing his coffee in her face. "You're with her ex. You expected Mercedes to roll out the red carpet and give you her blessing. You're insane."

"No you're insane with this little stunt you're playing. I know the real reason you invited her here. Hoping she was going to run into Sam and they'd fall into each other's arms." She shook her head at Kurt with pity. "Don't make me laugh Kurt."

"I think you and I both know that you and Sam won't last."

Her lips trembled a little but she gave him a smile.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Kurt." She sipped her coffee looking smug. "I slept with Sam last night after leaving your house."

Silence, but then it was shattered by Kurt's laughter.

Rachel scowled. "I don't see what's so funny."

"What's funny is you and your lies."

"What do you mean, I'm not lying."

"Oh save it Rachel, I overheard you snivelling to Carol last night."

Her smugness vanished. "You did?"

Kurt nodded. " Yep about how you were so disappointed that Sam didn't want to deposit his family jewels into your box."

Her cheeks turned bright red. "Shut up. You had no right to listen in our conversation."

Kurt shrugged pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I can see right through you Miss Berry. Telling me that you slept with Sam. Were you hoping that I would pass it unto Mercedes?"

Rachel pursed her lips.

"You wouldn't be doing this if you were so secure in your relationship."

She slammed her hand on the table. "I am so sick of you looking down on what me and Sam have together. You were there. He could have waited for Mercedes but he chased me!"

"Yeah and you didn't stop him."

Rachel laughed. "Why should I? He and Mercedes were over."

Kurt gripped his cup again, coaching himself to remain calm. "You're unbelievable."

"Whatever Kurt, you just have to deal with the fact that Sam and I are in love."

Kurt rolled his eyes as Sam entered the teacher's lounge all bright eyed.

"Hey Kurt."

"Hey Sa-" Sam grabbed Rachel and pulled her into a hot steamy kiss. Kurt sat frozen in spot, not sure if he should look away or not. It was a crime against humanity. It was so odd seeing Sam kiss anyone that wasn' t Mercedes. He finally looked away but he could still hear the sickening smack on their lips. He shuddered inwardly.

"What was that for honey?" Rachel smiled up sweetly at Sam. Kurt tried very hard not to roll his eyes. He wanted to gag at her over the top sweetness.

Sam pressed his forehead against hers.

"Just wanted to show you how much I love you."

"Oh Sam," Rachel cooed. "I love you too." Kurt's left eye twitched as they kissed again.

Rachel looked smugly at Kurt.

He wouldn't give Rachel the satisfaction of seeing his anger. He instead poured the packet of sugar into his coffee.

"So Kurt I've been meaning to ask, how is Carole doing? Rachel told me about what happened."

"She's doing much better thanks for asking." Kurt stared pointedly at Rachel. "After that I slept over by Mercedes. Sam you never told me what a tigress she was in bed."

Rachel's mouth fell open.

Sam's eyes widened as he was completely caught off guard. "Um… wh-what did you say?"

Kurt chuckled. "Oh I meant the way she just grabs you in her sleep. My god she was all over me. Her legs had me trapped. Isn't that something?"

"Yeah she... she can be like that sometimes," said Sam getting a faraway look in his eye. As if he was reliving a fond memory.

"Sam are you okay?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah," he said in a slow tone. He frowned shaking his head. "Merce- Rachel let's go home." Sam told Kurt goodbye and left the room.

Rachel glared at him before exiting.

Kurt just smiled, sipping his tea.