Standard Disclaimer: Mia Madison's Weekend in Paradise is the inspiration for and deserves credit for fifty percent of this story. RIB's Glee universe is about twenty percent. I changed a lot from both universes, but I still included some of their original content. Thanks for reading and giving this story love. If you haven't watched The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, there is a tiny spoiler that you can skip reading without losing any of the context of this story. I italicized it. Please forgive all my many mistakes.

Chapter Three

"Have a safe trip you two." The Lyft driver said as he gave Tina and me our suitcases.

"Thank you, sir." I told the man as Tina texted Mike to let him know we had arrived at the airport.

I couldn't believe that I was on my way to a resort in Mexico. If anybody would have told me a week ago that I would be flying, first class round trip to a couples resort, I would have told them that they had lost their ever loving minds.. But here I was at the airport early Saturday morning with my best friend , getting ready to check in to our nonstop flight to Mexico.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed that Tina had already left me. I followed her with my eyes and saw where she was headed.

Sam and Mike were already at the terminal, their luggage checked in. Thank God we agreed to be at the airport three hours early. TSA officers were doing what they could, but the line still moved at a snail's pace with checking passengers for immunization and COVID 19 test results.

"There you are!" Tina yelped, running towards Mike and throwing her arms around him like she hadn't just saw him the other night. When I caught up with them. Mike greeted me and gave me an elbow bump and told me how happy he was that I could join them.

"Thank you," I said, feigning a smile. The excitement had yet to really hit me. Part of me knew I needed to get away, and that this was a wonderful gift. Yet the other part of me was going insane. I was still filled with anxiety, about my finances, future, and about this weekend getaway.

I wasn't anxious about the trip until I stopped looking at Mike and began looking at his best friend, Sam. Meeting Sam's piercing green eyes and looking at the man before me had put me in a trance. I didn't remember Sam having facial hair and wearing glasses. He looked like a full grown man now and not the medical student I had known pre pandemic who looked more like a GAP model.

I think the pandemic must have done something to my brain. Maybe because I was sex starved which was Tina's excuse for my moodiness, I was looking at every man like a piece of delectable meat. I hadn't had a boyfriend since my high school days because I had spent most of my college years studying and now working and studying, and Shane was the opposite of Sam. Even though I liked Shane, he never tempted me to lose my virginity. If Sam had been my high school boyfriend, I doubt if my parents or my pastor's encouragement to save sex for marriage would have any impact on my hormones.

I don't know if I was imagining he was eyeing me like a hungry predator, or if it was all a part of my imagination, or it could be Tina's words telling me that I needed to let loose and allow Sam to break my back. Tina thought that I should become totally liberated from my parents' influences and having a no strings vacation filled with possibilities if I allowed myself to be open to Sam's possible attraction to me and my possible attraction to him, would be a total middle finger to my parents. I was my own person. I was no longer bound by their elitist expectations for me..

"Don't be so nervous," Tina had encouraged me only what felt like hours ago but was actually probably minutes. "Sam is Mike's best friend. You know Mike. He thinks of you as his baby sister. He would never allow you to share a room with a rapist or creep. And you know I love you like a sister, and I would have never suggested this if I thought Sam would hurt you in any way. He's actually a gentleman, and I've already laid down the ground rules with him."

"What ground rules? Are you talking about Tina?"

Tina winked at me. "Don't you worry about a thing. We'll go over the rules with everyone once again when we arrive. Right now, we need to head outside our Lyft driver has just arrived in a blue Toyota Camry. Come on we got about three hours before we board."

"Hey," Sam said. "Are you ready for this trip?" His voice brought me back to the present.

"Yeah, just about." We were back to our old ways of conversing with as few amount of words as possible.

We found a place to sit down and Mike, Tina, and I engaged in small talk, people watching and making light banter. I began to forget where we were, becoming more comfortable with each passing moment.

We were in the middle of discussing The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Season 2 finale episode the Son of Bucky, one of my favorite shows, and Sam had actually joined the conversation. He was just as excited about Bucky having a half mutant, half Wakandan son as I was.

Tina and Mike began talking about something else, and it was only Sam and I talking about how we didn't fully trust Gale. Who had given the White Wolf their son JB to raise as she had to go back into cryostasis to fully heal because the Wakandans hated the White Wolf for liberating Zemo, she had to find his father who her son had never met because she became pregnant just before the blip.

Gale had supposedly met the White Wolf or as she had known him as James when he came to Wakanda for healing. They were both in cryostasis as patients of Shuri and because she was a mutant, an empath, she was able to detect his feelings for a woman named Gale who she assumed had been her. Her powers awakened the White Wolf and him being free of mind control from Hydra was susceptible now to Gale's power. He brought her out, and she and the White Wolf were convinced that they were the married couple Gale Richards Barnes and James Barnes until Shuri told them the truth right before giving the White Wolf the arm and him leaving to join the Avengers with T'Challa to fight Thanos.

Because Gale was unable to remain in cryostasis to fully heal because she had to take care of their son due to the White Wolf's disappearance for five years, her appearance in the season finale was setting up season three and the X-Men into the MCU like the mention of Madripoor and we were excited.

While we were discussing fan theories of one of our favorite shows, I realized that the quiet Sam that I had known before now had a happiness and joy that radiated from him. We were laughing and talking like old friends, and I was being turned on by this guy who I used to think was as boring as watching paint dry.

"I'll be right back," I suddenly announced to all of three of them as I made my way towards the airport bathroom. I had to throw some cold water on my face, and not let my hormones get so out of control that I actually wanted to kiss a guy who was talking nerdy with me. As soon as I get in the bathroom I see a text from Tina asking me if I was okay.

Me: I will be okay. Why didn't you tell me that Sam was a hot nerd? You know that is my Kryptonite.

Tina: LMFAO… I told you he was a dork. And why should I have to tell you he is hot? You have seen him before with your own eyes.

Me: You know that Sam didn't look like that two years ago.

Tina: I only have eyes for Michael Chang. Sam is still the Sam I am like he introduced himself to me almost four years ago. He is the same dorky, comic book loving, stargazing dude I have known all along. Bring your ass out of the restroom, the plane's here and they just announced they'll be boarding early since everyone's checked in for the flight.

It was easy for Tina to be so blasé about Sam. Did she say the plane was here? Had I spent hours talking about the MCU with this guy and didn't notice the time passing along?

As I washed my hands and fervently checked my appearance in the mirror, I double checked that nothing was out of place. I was wearing a simple sundress, like Tina, and I wore a little foundation, no contouring, just setting powder, eye shadow and my favorite lipstick. I could act my age and not like a schoolgirl with a newfound crush.

After saying several humble prayers for safety of the flight and for confidence - so that I didn't embarrass myself - I inhaled excellence, exhaled doubt, and returned to the seating area. Just as I returned, our boarding levels were called.

I reached for my carry on bag, but Sam grabbed it for me first.

"Allow me to carry it for you, fair lady." His green eyes one again pierced mine as he smiled. My stupid heart burst into a thousand butterflies at the chivalry, mixed with the intensity of his gaze, and I simply giggled like a silly teen and nodded.

God, I was just as goofy and dorky as Tina assured me he was.

An hour later, we were on board and in the air. I'd never flown first-class before, and I could already feel the difference. My parents always travelled first class while I sat in business class with my grandparents or second class or economy with my cousins when we travelled. There was much more leg room, and instead of being sandwiched between two people, there was just a seat for Sam and me.

Sam gave me the choice of choosing my seat, and of course, I chose the window. Tina and Mike sat directly across from us with Tina choosing the window seat as well.

I thought we would continue talking on the flight, but Sam told me sheepishly that flying gave him anxiety. I was like a person who loves to study and look at stars but was afraid of flying seemed a little oxymoronic, but I didn't judge him as he took out some sleep aids to help him with his anxiety.

As the drugs began to take effect, he looked at me and said, "I'm sorry I've been so quiet."

"You don't have to apologize. I am looking through the options to see which movie I will enjoy on this flight. I am officially on spring break and I am flying first class to Mexico. I have nothing to complain about."

He smiled, at me appearing more at ease. "Yeah, my ex would tell me to man up like I could control my anxiety that only occurred after I lost my good friend Finn in a plane crash my senior year of boarding school. He was the son of a senator and his family was flying him out of the country to spend his winter break in Switzerland. The same thing that happened with Kobe's plane years later happened with him. The pilot lost sight of the horizon due to visibility issues, and since then, I sometimes have a little anxiety when I am flying."

"If that happened to me, I am sure I would feel the same. I am a little anxious, too. I prayed for the flight, the pilot, and the vacation while I was in the bathroom" I admitted to him understanding now that his ratchet ex deserved to be his ex being so callous towards him.

"Well, that is also why I didn't care that you wanted the window seat, since I will sleep through the amazing view."

"Do you want to watch the Black Widow movie with me until you fall off to sleep?"

Sam agreed but it wasn't long before he closed his eyes and went into his own world.

When he fell asleep, he snored lightly, and his body leaned in my direction.

When the movie was over, I had reclined both our seats back in the resting position and allowed Sam to continue leaning on me being the big spoon while I took a nap, too.

The voice of the flight attendant woke me up. She was telling us to bring our seats back up and put our seat belts back on. Tina made a motion for me to check my phone.

She had sent a photo of Sam and I sleeping together comfortably like we were not the almost strangers we were. She included the nursery rhyme of Sam and Mercedes sitting in a tree but instead she had typed Sam and Mercedes flying on the plane. S.L.E.E.P.I.N.G. First comes love nerd. Second comes hot love. Then come Mercedes with a baby carriage.

I sent her a middle finger text and rolled my eyes. She was clearly getting a kick out of watching this. I guess I had better get over the awkwardness of this. He's my pretend boyfriend for the next couple of days, so I had no choice.

When we had completed landing, Sam was now fully awake and alert, not just going through the motions of me nudging him and reminding him to put his seatbelt back on..

"Hope I didn't snore too loudly." He smiled at me and I noticed just how full his lips were for the very first time. Extremely lickable. Oh hell I was turning into horny Tina.

I shook my head both to clear it and to answer him. "No, not at all," I replied. "It actually helped me fall asleep when the movie was over halfway through our flight."

"When I am medicated I am known to wake the dead with my snoring and embarrass myself with drool." He admitted like I was an old friend and not someone he barely knew.

He shared a wry smile and his eyes twinkled. Green never seemed so beautiful.

"Come on lovebirds," Mike goaded by Tina interrupted us as we were still on the plane and not leaving with the rest of the first class passengers. "The driver the resort sent over is waiting for us."

The ride to the resort was beautiful, lush with dark green plants, palm trees, sandy beaches, and of course, bright blue water.

I took several photos with my iPhone, capturing what I could. This was like a Technicolor dream, almost too beautiful to be real. Tina did the same, and even recorded a few videos announcing where she was. I knew they'd be on TikTok or her Instagram later.

When we finally pulled up, Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun was exactly as described,

"Welcome to Maroma Beach Riviera, couples!" A short Filipino guy walked up to us. He had a solid build with a small beer belly. "I'm Howard, the manager. It'll be my pleasure to help you if you need anything during your time here."

Howard escorted us to the check-in, where he stood behind the counter and allowed Sam to check in virtually giving our cell phones the key to unlock our rooms, Howard reminded us as the check in process was being completed, "Because you will be staying with us five nights, your COVID testing will be complimentary. We will give you the test on the third day, since you have provided your test results from yesterday and your vaccination cards. Please let us know if we can make your stay more enjoyable Mr. Evans."

"We will let you know .My lady, our friends, and I cannot wait to begin our vacation. Ain't that right, darlin'?"

He shifted to face me. There was serious warmth in his eyes. They oozed sensuous affection, which gave me all the feels. Exuberance dove into my heart and I felt a burst of delicious tingles explode and move through my body.

Like a lovesick teenager, I nodded and giggled. "Yes, babe."

"Where are you guys located?" Tina asked, leaning over my phone to see our room number.

"We're in JSO134."

Tina anxiously turned to Mike. "We're in JSO294." She didn't like knowing they were going to be a whole floor apart.

"Tina, you were the one who told me to be sure to tell Sam that we wanted the rooms far apart when we booked, remember?" Mike reminded her.

"Yeah, but that was when I thought that horrible Katherine was coming with us."

I couldn't believe Tina was being so open and honest about Sam's ex. I snuck a glance at Sam, and I noticed that his jaw clenched, but he didn't say a word.

"It's okay, Tina." I chimed in. "You can always call whenever you want us. It's not like we're going to be that far away from each other. Besides," I added, "This is a couples resort. I don't want to be in earshot of anything you two are going to be doing behind closed doors."

Tina's anxiousness gave way into playful disgust as she stuck her tongue out at me. "Don't hate me. You are just jealous."

"We'll walk them to their room, so you'll at least know where they're at, okay babe?" Mike pulled Tina close, kissing her on the forehead.

I yawned. "Well hurry up then," I said.

It was late in the afternoon. I needed a nap before I did anything else.

Sam led the way as we went to our room. The Ocean Front Junior Suites were where our rooms were located. Our driver had already gotten our bags delivered to our rooms, so we could walk slowly around the resort enjoying the view. The entire resort smelled clean and was quite luxurious and beautiful.

When we entered the room, I gasped. Our suite was breathtaking. First, there was the lush tan, brown, cream, gold, and teal blue decor. At the center of the room was a huge King size bed. A large fan was in the center of the ceiling, providing a lazy breeze for us to indulge in over the sitting area. Next to the sitting area was a private, furnished balcony with an exterior jacuzzi with both garden and oceanfront views.

The bathroom was just as lush, with a hydro tub for two and a separate shower. A hair dryer, luxurious bath supplies, and robes were bags had been delivered as soon as we officially checked in. Sam had already done a precheck in on our flight, so the drive/bellhop knew which rooms the bags were going to go ahead of time.

When we finished looking over the room. We sat down as Tina had urged us in the sitting area.

"Okay, now, we need to lay out some ground rules," Tina declared. Mike silently rolled his eyes behind her and shook his head, as if he already knew this was unnecessary we were all mature, responsible adults.

"First things first, I'm so glad you're here, Mercedes. I want you to have a good time, and I want you to get all the rest you need. This is why we're all here - to restore our energy and renew ourselves just like spring is a season of renewal." She flashed a naughty smile. "But I think we need to get clear on what can and cannot happen this weekend."

"Oh, Lord, Tina. Really?" I said before asking. "Can this wait? I'm exhausted."

"No." She said matter of factly. "We're going to address this all now so we're clear."

She started listing out her rules. "We were going to eat one meal together every day. Nobody is allowed to leave the resort alone or drink water that is not straight from a bottle. We need to check in every night before we all go to our rooms for the night. Mexico is not a safe place. The resort is fine, but outside of the resort it is not safe at all."

"And, although this goes without saying," Tina said, pointing to Sam and me. "You both keep this strictly PG."

"What the hell?" Sam, Mike, and I all looked at her like she had lost her ever loving mind

Tina folded her arms, crossed her legs, and sat back.

"You all heard me. In public, you are a loving couple, so being affectionate and flirtatious is part of keeping up the image. You should even attend some of the special events for couples together like couple massages and Tantric lovemaking. That's expected."

"But within these walls?" She gestured around the room. "No fornicating."

"Whoa," Sam interjected. "I appreciate your concern and not that it is any of your business, but what goes on in this room is none of your business.

"Listen, I know, Sam. But I have to put it out there. At first I thought this was what you both needed. Sam, you could have a rebound fling, and Mercedes could spread her wings, but you two are already acting like an old married couple. I am afraid one of you might get hurt. Friends with benefits is a good idea, until one of you starts feeling more for the other than you should. I don't want either of you to regret this week. I want us to have fun and create memories that will last a lifetime.

My face started to burn, and I didn't know what to say. Lucky for me there was a knock on the door and a masked resort employee greeted Sam at the door.

"Hello lovebirds! Welcome to Secrets. We have a welcome gift for you!" Behind her there was a tray of chocolate covered strawberries, fruit, and champagne in a gold ice tray.

Oh hell. This certainly wasn't the best time.

Sam thanked her and wheeled the cart into the room.

Mike got up and gently pulled Tina to her feet and escorted her past us. "We're about to head to our room and mind our own business. I trust both of you to do what you both need to do. Tina has temporarily lost her mind, so ignore everything she said earlier.."

"I have not not lost my mind; we'll finish this later," Tina said, smiling through her teeth. I exhaled in relief myself when the door closed behind them.

When the door closed, it was eerily silent. Sam looked at me, and I gave him a nervous smile while I tried to avoid eye contact.

Sam busied himself by wiping everything down with the wipes he had brought which were medical grade. Even though COVID was proven to be aerosol and not surface contagious. I was pleased to see Sam following protocol and washing his hands and urging me to do so as well before eating and drinking.

When we finished washing our hands, Sam handed me a glass. "This is an $900 bottle of champagne. After Tina's bombshell, I think we both need it.."

"Thank you. Before we stepped foot in the resort, I was afraid she was going to give us a speech on safe sex and make sure we had condoms. But what she said came out of left field."

I looked at the amber-colored liquid. I wasn't versed in the world of drinking expensive wine. I had turned 21 during a pandemic of all things. I didn't plan on drinking much on this vacation because I was a light weight the few times I had drunk alcohol with Tina. I ended up giggling with her and at my own reflection in the mirror after two drinks.

Sam finally cleared his throat when the silence between us became oppressive in weight. "Listen, I owe you an apology."

"Why?" I looked up at him without thinking. "An apology? For what?"

"What I allowed Tina to say." He looked at me with genuine concern in his eyes. "You're not a kid. You're a woman. A beautiful woman at that. And you're doing me a huge favor right now. And although I used to let people, especially women talk to me like that in the past, I am not a kid. I am a grown ass man capable of making my own we decide to do or not to do is our business, and our business alone.

"Thank you, Sam, I know that Tina means well, but she was out of line, and I am sure Mike is telling her the same thing. I don't want this ugly tension or discussion about us marring this trip. We both need a time of just breaking free and enjoying our freedom to do what the hell we want when we want to. The only people who can judge me and you are me and you.."

"No, thank you for saying that." He sighed. "This is so weird. I know Tina told you about my ex. I was in a relationship, long term one. Although I know she is toxic and judging by Tina's desire to have a room far away from us, Tina knew just how toxic she was, but stupid me, I still have for feelings for her. I thought I could turn them off. I thought I could just move on, but a part me is mad at myself for not seeing how we were not really meant for each other, and the other part of me is angry at all the lies, cheating, and angry at myself that I couldn't see what everybody else could see. That she was not the one for me."

I nodded, "I can understand that Sam; I really can. It is not the same, but it is similar to how I feel about my parents, especially my dad. Like how can someone who is supposed to love me unconditionally can disown me and pretend I don't exist because I want to follow my dreams and be happy being a music teacher and not into medicine or dentistry."

"I guess we are both hurting right now and Tina is worried that we will start something that might be impossible to keep you from getting hurt. I can't fall in love with anyone right now. I am a hot mess, and she only wants to protect you because you are the type of woman that I didn't know existed, and if it wasn't for Katherine, I think we could have had something worth pursuing."

"Sam don't you worry about me. Of course, you are not ready for a relationship. Your breakup is still fresh, and I don't have time to have a relationship with anyone with working and my studies."

"We are on the same wavelength." He looked at me, and for the first time I felt that feeling of connection we shared at the airport once again.

"I want you to have a great time," Sam said, basking in the smile I had just given him. "Anything you want to get, charge it to the room. I've got you covered. If you want to get off the resort, book an excursion, explore the island, I'll take care of that for you and Mike and Tina, too. I don't really have anything I want to do, but I'm open to participating in some of the activities, but only if you're interested.."

"Oh no, Sam, this resort alone is worth the trip, I couldn't ask for anything more," I said interrupting him. "I'm completely fine. I'm just looking to relax as well. Mexico's beautiful, but I honestly just want to chill out, you know?" I said, being completely open in the moment. "I will probably spend most of my time here in bed. I have been working myself to the bone and would love to relax watching movies and maybe reading some books for pleasure."

"Wow. We have a lot more in common than I thought we would. I planned to do the same thing as well." He laughed and gestured to the bed. "You think this bed's big enough for both of us?"

"It's a King." I shrugged. "I don't mind sharing the bed. You paid for it, Big Poppa." This was my attempt at flirting, but it sounded like a joke. It was easy to flirt when I didn't seem serious.

God, I was a dork just like Tina said referring to Sam, as my sugar daddy.

"Glad it meets your high standards, lovebug. You don't mind the pet names, and pretending to be lovey-dovey in public, do you?" He said. "I won't kiss you or anything without your permission. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"No, no, it's fine." I assured him with a wink.

"The lovey-dovey acting, or the kissing?" He said looking at me dead serious.