A/N: Didn't see this coming... did ya? I had to rework it but I'm definitely back with story as well!

Chapter Nine

She never listens… I guess I'll need to take her down a few pegs or shall I say I'll take Samuel Evans down a few.

...

"Wait what? How is that possible I haven't even heard of that person before."

"I don't understand, we've worked together for the past few years and now all of a sudden you want to change our agreement? You want what?!"

"I can't fly out right now… I have-"

"Fine… I'll just have to see what I can do."

Sam hung his phone looking angry and confused as he put Mercedes bag away. They went and got all of her things from her parents and the hotel then grabbed some lunch before heading back to his place. He wasn't expecting to get the call he just did but now he had to make some type of decision on what he should do and also figure out why it was happening. When he walked out of the guest room he smiled looking at Mercedes playing with Lily and wanted to join but his phone rang and he answered it.

"WHAT! You have got to be shitting me, I have always worked from home and now you need me to start using your studio? What is this about?"

Mercedes heard Sam shout and looked at him with a concerned and questioning glance to which he just shook his head and gave her a half smile then walked outside to the back. She looked down at Lily who was also looking in Sam's direction before she got up and walked away towards the direction Sam went. She contemplated taking the hint his dog was sending but realized she was actually using that as a reason to check on him and stopped herself. After waiting for him to come back in for little over thirty minutes she finally figured she should go check on him.

"Sam?" She didn't see him immediately but she did hear some lough noise and followed it until she saw him.

"Oh sweet Jesus..." She said to herself, Sam was angrily chopping wood shirtless. She hadn't seen him shirtless in years and he certainly bulked up since then. She found herself looking at every movement he made and had to bite her lip to stop the moan that so desperately wanted to come out.Girl, snap out of it!

"Sam." She said again moving closer to him but still got no response that's when she noticed the head phones in his ear and decided to get closer. She moved carefully so not to put herself in the range of his swing and gently tapping his arm, causing him to jump and drop the axe and bump into her. She must have flinched because his expression changed from shocked to concern and he pulled his headphones out.

"Oh Mercy, I'm sorry I didn't see you walk up. I didn't mean to scare you." He said softly looking at her worriedly.

"No, it's fine. I just wanted to check on you, you seem really angry when you got that call and never came back." She replied smiling but it didn't reach her eyes. He could tell she was trying convince herself that she was fine, he let out a deep breath before pulling her into a hug.

"I won't hurt you baby. I just needed to clear my head for a minute."

"I know Sammy… so what's bugging you?" She asked smiling into his bare chest like a giddy school girl. Jesus… he smells so good.

"I had some clients call about needing me to fly out and write in their studios and it's not like driving to Nashville for a weekend it's more they're demanding I stay until they're done recording their albums but… it's crazy because they were fine with this arrangement and now..." Sam said chewing his bottom lip. She wasn't sure what came over her but leaned in and kissed him placing her hands on his face biting his bottom lip before pulling away.

"Sorry… I couldn't resist." She said nervously. "It's been a while since I genuinely wanted to kiss someone if that makes sense." Sam just smiled and kissed her back.

"Well feel free to do that whenever."

"Okay now back to your clients, did they say why they wanted to change?"

"No, just that they needed me with them until completion of their album but that would mean me be being in Nashville and New York at the same time. I can easily go to Nashville but I can't leave my kids and I can't leave you to go to New York for months and now I have to decide on if I keep my contracts with them or risk getting fined by ending them." Sam said running through his hands hair and sighing deeply.

"Is this the first time they asked you to do that? I can call around and see if there's a way to get them to reconsider..." Mercedes offered with a sweet smile.

"No… I appreciate that offer but I need this to be a safe space for you not a work space. What was ironic is they both said the same thing… something about playing the role I was given." He said shaking his head. Mercedes eyes grew wide and she immediately knew what this was all about and stood up running inside to grab her phone. Sam quickly followed and when he found her she had her phone to her ear with a pissed off expression.

WHAT THE FUCK TANK?

Well, what do I owe this honor? My beautiful fiance has called me.

Why did you do that to him? Why did you ruin the connections he made for his self?

I have the slightest idea of what you're talking about but I must say hearing the anger in your voice is a turn on… I bet you took that dress off and put on pair of those jeans I love so much.

ANSWER MY QUESTION!

Well if you must know I just wanted to let you see just how far my reach goes ad now you both know how serious I am about what I said… when can I expect you home?

I'm staying with Sam.

So you're gonna play this game with me huh?

He's an amazing kisser too…

Don't.

Nice strong hands…

I'm not fucking play-

You know I promised myself to him too… all those years ago and the second I saw him all those feelings came back and I do mean EVERY. SINGLE. FEELING.

You bitch, you think playing this game with me will end well for you?

Hmm… I wonder how I'd look if I ended up pregnant with his baby while you're out there parading around making me look like this devoted fiancee… you can't succeed without me I don't know why it just hit me but you have nothing if I never sing again.

You wouldn't dare.

I think I'm coming down with a little cold as we speak… good thing I have such a wonderful man here to take care of me.

Game on bitch. CLICK

Mercedes let out a shaky breath and looked at a shocked Sam, she shook her head and had a sinking feeling. What the hell did I just do?

"So you think he has something to do with this?"

"He does… and I just made it worse." She replied sighing heavily and throwing her phone done.

"Want to fly out to New York with me?" He asked shocking her.

"Wait what? You're not upset?"

"I don't have time to be upset besides if this is Tank's doing then I can't let him think he's gotten to me in anyway. We will need to go to Nashville first then fly from there and hey… maybe you can make your own business connections, get from under him." Sam said shrugging. Mercedes launched herself at him crashing her lips onto his unsuspecting ones and kissed him breathlessly. He smiled against her lips and kissed her back wrapping his arms around her and deepening their kiss. When she let out a soft moan he knew they needed to slow down before it went to far and he did something she ended up regretting, so he pulled away still planting feathery kisses on her lips.

"I take that as a yes?" He asked with a smile.

"Sorry… yes, plus I can always network while I'm out there… look for a new manager." She said.

"Come on, I guess we need to pack and I need to let Shue know I'll be out for a few days. Hopefully I can resolve everything before it's time for Regionals."

"How about we call in some back up? Guest coaches until you're able to get back?"

"That… I didn't think of but yes and I think I know who to call first." Sam said pulling out his phone and calling Rachel. He was surprised when she answered on the first ring but he explained why he was calling and asked if she'd be willing to come down and help out. She agreed and told him she would fly out that evening and fill in for as long as he needed her to do so.

"Rachel Berry? Those kids are going to kill you." Mercedes joked while laughing.

"Hey she'll whip them into shape while we're gone." He replied praying like hell his students didn't quit before he got back.

After they packed and book a flight they decided to head to the store to grab a few things for dinner since their flight was for tomorrow morning, they were walking around the store like a normal couple talking about everything and occasionally goofing off.

"Mercedes?" They both turned to see who called her name.

"Mercedes Jones as I live and breathe."

"Shaneee… hi, how are you?" She said giving him a warm smile, he walked over and gave her a tight hug before nodding at Sam who gave him a half smile.

"I'm good, it's been what three years since we last seen each other? What's up Evans?" Shane asked smiling at them both.

"Yeah sounds right… back in Lima?" Mercedes asked.

"For now yeah, you two a thing again?"

"We're catching up." Sam answered for her so she wouldn't have to lie. "What's been going on for you? Haven't seen you on TV in a long time man."

"Got injured, it was brutal but Cedes here just so happened to be at the game so it wasn't so bad." Shane said winking at Mercedes who just gave him a smile.

"Tough break about your injury… so what are you up to now?" Sam asked noticing Mercedes shifting

"Odd stuff, did some sport commentary, a few hosting gigs but since I got injured on the job I've really just been living the best life I can. Well as best as a single guy can be, I mean so many of us are getting married and having kids… thought that would be you know?" Shane answered looking at Mercedes who seemed to wish she was anywhere be there at the moment.

"Hmm… you still have time. We're still young-ish." Sam said with light laugh nudging Mercedes who just smiled and nodded.

"We'll looks like you two are busy so I'll go, Cedes we need to catch up so don't leave without saying bye this time!" Shane said before walking away. Sam caught the tone shift in Shane's voice and the look of annoyance on Mercedes' face.

"Mer-"

"I never dated him after we broke up, I ran into him he asked me to go to one of his games and I said yes. After he got hurt I kept in contact until he started acting as though we were dating… so I told him we were just friends, he seemed to understand when I left to go on tour I didn't tell him that's what he was referring to but I didn't owe him anything." Mercedes said getting it out of the way before it became something that it didn't need to be.

"I was just going to say we didn't have to talk about it but okay." Sam said with humorous smirk. "Come on let's get back so we can eat and get some rest, we have long drive and even longer flight tomorrow." Sam added as they walked away.

…

"Is that so?"

"Well we'll just have to make sure they're greeted properly now won't we?"

Soooooo... Okay... Well umm hi Shane? Tank is the worst but we got a little bad ass Mercedes show her face so I'm here for it! This was a short re-introductory chapter! Until next time XOXO!

Sneak Peek ;)

"I just need one more thing." Monica said looking at Tank.

"Who's been helping you keep tabs on Mercedes?"