Brittany's bedroom. Sam is sleeping over after hours of practicing a dance routine for Sectionals.

Brittany sighed and threw herself on her bed, Sam kept staring at her, confused.

"Ugh! No you don't Sam." She said with an irritated tone.

"Wait…what?" Sam expected many answers to his confession. That was not one of them and it threw him off.

"You don't like me Sam. I mean, you like me but you don't like me. I'm dumb but I'm not stupid and I know you don't like me." She covered her face with her pillow. "Just trust me. And even if you did like me, I don't and can't like you. My heart's already been plucked by the love fairies and it belongs to one princess of the land while yours belongs to the other."

Sam shook his head, trying to make sense of Brittany's words. "I'm not following…"

Brittany sat up and took Sam's hands in his. "Look, I know this is tough because I'm way smarter than you but you need to hear me out. I'm in love with a princess and so are you. They both live in a castle somewhere out of Lima and we have to rescue them with our noble steed." She cupped Sam's face and smiled. "I know what you're doing. You think you like me because we spend a lot of time together and you're a great guy Sam but I know in that heart of yours, there's room for one girl. Why don't we both get some sleep? Don't worry; we've got the dance moves down for sectionals. Think about what I said. Close your eyes and really think about who your princess is. Because I promise, it's not me Sam Bam."

With that, Brittany turned off her light, kissed the picture of Santana on her nightstand and fell fast asleep leaving Sam with his own thoughts.

"…you're a great guy Sam but I know in that heart of yours, there's room for one girl"

Sam crawled into his sleeping bag and stared at the ceiling.

"Hey. Pretty romantic huh? Think you're gonna get married someday?"

"After I win my first Grammy."

"Do you have any idea who the guy is gonna be, because I know this awesome dude who has great impressions and is totally into you."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

The Choir Room. The Old Directions come to visit.

"So…we all decided to come visit. It's been a long time and …well, I've missed you guys. Some more than others…" Quinn tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled over to Puck. Puck returned the smile and everyone looked at each other with knowing looks.

"Alright there Nicolas Sparks. What she's trying to say is, we know how important sectionals are to this glee club and we came here to support you guys and Finn. I feel like it wouldn't be the same if we weren't here to share it with you guys…" Santana smiled genuinely and locked eyes with Brittany who smiled faintly and then turned her attention to Sam.

"Are they a little too close for comfort?" Santana leaned in to whisper to Mercedes. Mercedes shrugged, trying her best to hide her anger and put her arm around Santana.

"Why should we care? We decided no distractions and so did they. It's not our fault they broke that part of the deal."

"Well, yeah, but it wasn't supposed to be like that. It was supposed to be a small break until we all got our shit straight…"

"Yeah, well, obviously our plans failed, Santana. I'm not going to glare at him with judging looks. Their sectionals are tomorrow."

"Oh yeah! I forgot! The one where they have to dance all up on each other." Santana moved her head sassily, glaring at Sam and Brittany.

Mercedes felt the jealousy take over and looked away to Quinn who had taken the floor again. "He can dance with whoever he wants…"

"Did you think about it yet? Or do you want me to tell you the answer? My mom says it's better to learn on your own…" Brittany whispered, nudging Sam. He didn't respond and felt the knot in his stomach. Mercedes was in the room again and he couldn't find it in him to say anything to her. What was he going to say? Sorry I stopped calling? Sorry we never actually broke up because I'm a coward? Sorry I broke all my promises? Why do you look so amazing? Why did you stop calling too? Instead he opted to stay in his seat, avoiding contact with his "not sure if she's his ex-girlfriend".

"I think it's great!" Unique stood up and walked over to Mercedes, wrapping her arms around her, completely breaking her out of her deep thought. "I will definitely be more motivated to bring my DIVA ON with Mercedes in the crowd."

"Praise" Artie raised his hands and the choir room cheered on Unique's thoughts.

"I knew it…Mercedes was cloned…" Brittany whispered into Sam's ear and Sam looked up, dumbfounded by Brittany's comment.

"Wait, are you being serious?" he whispered back "You do know…they're not the same person, right? They're not even the same gender!" Sam tried his best to restrain his irritation.

Brittany arched an eyebrow and sat back, smiling. "Ohhh someone's defensive."

"Of course! That was really rude Britt!"

"Is there something you need to share with the class, Sam?" Finn interrupted the small quarrel before him and Brittany raised her hand.

"Yes! I just helped Sam figure out who his princess is!" She crossed her arms and bopped back and forth in her seat excitedly.

Mercedes looked over to Sam and Brittany, and shook her head. "I can't do this. Guys, good luck with sectionals. I'll see you there."

"Mercy! Wait!" Santana glared at Sam and Brittany one last time before leaving. The choir room sat quietly, leaving Sam and Brittany confused.

Empty Choir Room, later that day.

"Can I ask you why you felt it was necessary to cause a scene in there?" Quinn asked Santana from across the grand piano.

"Mercy was distraught and it's all their fault!" Santana responded sassily.

Quinn licked her lips and shook her head. "Santana, look. We're all in a better place now. We're in school, we're trying to make something out of ourselves and we finally managed to get out of Lima! Something we thought we couldn't do! You're doing great in school, I made honor roll, did you hear Mercedes' voice on those tracks she just finished laying down? Puck is saving up his money to start classes next semester and Mike is the best dancer in his class. We're all doing great. Rachel and Kurt are in New York right now probably being amazing…we can't just sit around, and cry ourselves to insanity over our high school sweethearts. It's not worth it! We're better without them!"

Santana cocked her head and crossed her arms. "Really?!" She asked sarcastically. "So, how many times exactly did you recite that in your head so that you can believe it? I'm going to go with 56?"

"What are you talking about?" Quinn asked forcefully.

"I'm talking about how you kept giving Puck goo goo eyes in the choir room. We all saw it, Q! You're being a hypocrite right now! 'Don't let your high school sweethearts, anchor you down! Bullshit! Why are you always so afraid to say what you really feel?" Santana leaned in, gripping the piano.

"How dare you call me a hypocrite? Last I heard, you told Brittany that you wanted this break and then you come to Lima and confuse the hell out of her telling her you still can't be with her but you're glad she's not with anyone. What the hell is that all about , Santana? If I'm going down as a hypocrite then SO ARE YOU!"

"Well, at least I didn't drag Puck around for three years like a puppy dog. First you date Finn, then you date Sam, then you date Joe. NONE OF THOSE NAMES SOUND LIKE PUCK!"

With that, Quinn smacked Santana's face and Santana returned the action.

"YOU DRIVE ME INSANE!"

"YOU DRIVE ME MORE INSANE!" The two girls were gripping each other's hair and struggling.

"Say it! Say you love Puck!"

"Only if you say that you're ready to get Brittany back!"

"FINE! I CAME BACK FOR BRITTANY BUT SHE'S TOO BUSY PLAYING PRINCE AND PRINCESS WITH SAM!"

"WHAT? WAS I THE ONLY ONE THAT CAUGHT SAM TRYING HIS BEST NOT TO STARE AT MERCEDES? AND FINE! I LOVE PUCK! ALWAYS HAVE AND MAYBE I CAME BACK TO SEE IF HE STILL FELT THE SAME!

"GOOD!"

"GOOD!"

The two girls let go of each other's hair and started laughing.

"We're idiots, Q"

"Maybe. I talk a whole lot of smack about not letting the anchors of my past bring me down and look at me."

"Smack?" Santana laughed and took her friend's hand. "What you need to do is stop seeing Puck as an anchor…"

Quinn nodded her head and looked up at the clock. "We should go find Mercy."

The two girls left the room to find their other broken hearted friend.

Sectionals.

"I have to thank you later…" Puck whispered into Santana's ear. She smiled and looked over to see Quinn and Puck holding hands and nodded her head.

"Just buy me breadstixx and we're good."

Santana looked around to see if she saw Mercedes anywhere and frowned once the lights went down. She was nowhere to be found and it killed her. She wasn't returning anyone's phone calls and she feared Summer Mercedes 2.0 was back. The one that shut herself in her room after Sam left to Kentucky. Shuddering at the thought, she opened the program and searched for Brittany's name.

"They're up" Puck whispered and everyone's attention went over to the stage.

The New Directions were on fire, hitting every note and successfully showing off every dance step. Their old friends stood up and cheered during Gangham Style and sat back down for the ballad…led by Sam and Brittany.

Santana rolled her eyes, reminding herself, Brittany wasn't hers and Puck used his free hand to grip hers.

When their song was over, Sam dipped Brittany and before anyone can see what else happened, the audience sitting in front of Puck, Quinn, Mike, and Santana stood up.

Puck looked over to Santana, sympathetically and Santana sat quietly. "They didn't…did they?"

"It was nothing…" Quinn interrupted. "I saw it. It was just a dip. Brittany still loves you, Santana and Sam loves Mercy. It was nothing."

They all joined the audience in cheering the New Directions on and waited for them to be placed.

Backstage

"First Place!" Mike yelled, running to hug Tina and congratulated everyone.

"Congratulations, guys!" Quinn smiled and took turns hugging everyone.

"Where's Mercedes?" Sam asked Puck and he shrugged.

"I don't know man. I don't think she made it."

Sam retrieved his phone from his pocket and walked away from the group. "Guys? I'll be right back"

Brittany watched him happily and clapped her hands. Santana noticed this and walked over to her. "Why so happy?"

"Well, we just won Sectionals, I killed my duet with Sam but that's probably because I was thinking of my princess the whole time, and I think I just helped Sam and Mercedes get back together!" She watched Sam talk into the phone and squealed.

Santana's heart fluttered and she was at a loss for words. "Your …your princess?"

"Yeah, silly. You! You came to support me, right?" Brittany asked her, smiling widely and hopefully, her blue eyes shining.

"Yes. I did. I came here for you." Santana interlaced her fingers with Brittany's and sighed, relieved to finally be by her side.

"Mrs. Jones, please. I really need to speak to her. I've tried her cell phone and I know she's there…" Sam pleaded over the phone.

"Tell him I'm not here!" Sam heard Mercedes' voice in the background and smiled.

"Sam…" Mrs. Jones started to speak when Sam interrupted her.

"Can you put the phone on speaker?" Sam asked hopeful for a yes.

"I'm only doing this because I like you but I'm just letting you know that this will land me on my daughter's crap list."

Sam laughed and nodded his head. "I'm quite aware I owe you big time!"

"You're on, Sam."

"Okay. Mercedes? I know you can hear me and you don't have to anything right now. It's okay. I've been thinking a lot and I feel so bad about how we handled things after you left to Los Angeles. Things just got so awkward for no good reason and I miss you. I didn't even know the right things to say to you when you got to Lima…I don't want you to leave thinking I don't like you or that I've…that I've moved on. Because I haven't! I tried to because I thought it would hurt less but I can't do it. I love you so much and I swear I never lied to you when I saw that I did. I want to try this long distance relationship. We already lost each other once…I can't stand it if we do it again…" Sam cleared his throat and closed his eyes.

"I can be your hero, baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away…"

"Sam! What the hell?" Mercedes took the phone off speaker.

"Oh thank God! I thought I was singing to thin air…"

"What are you doing?"

"Winning you back!"

Mercedes sighed into the phone. "You can't win something back if you never lost it…"

Sam smiled and gripped the phone in his hand. "So…?"

"So…Quinn text me about Breadstixx. I'll be there and you can hold my hand while we share one of the specials…"

"Okay…and then?"

"And then you and I are going to have a nice talk."

Sam looked over to his friends and gave them a thumbs up. They all high fived each other and laughed.

"Alright, sounds like a plan…"

"And Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"I missed you too."

Sam's heart was pounding out of his chest and he smiled widely. "I love you Mercedes."

"I love more."

"No…doubtful…" Sam laughed and Artie approached him, pointing to his watch. "I'll see you there, Artie's being impatient." Sam and Mercedes both laughed and said their goodbyes. The difference was this goodbye wasn't forever.