The Lady Is A Tramp
A strong man will just walk away, but what will a strong woman do
Sam
Sam and Rachel had been an item for nearly eight months now, they'd linked up at the end of college, Sam had fancied Mercy originally, but Rachel must have caught him checking Mercy out one day and let him know that she wasn't into white boys and although they'd stayed in the same circle, because his best friend Blaine was seeing Mercy's best friend Kurt, he'd never attempted to make his move on her.
"So" Rachel jumped on the table in front of him one afternoon, offensively parking herself right beside his food "You know it's never going to happen with Mercy don't you?"
"What am I hoping will happen with Mercy?" he looked over at Mercy sat watching them talk, he swore sometimes she was begging him to start something, but he knew her feelings and that rejection wasn't a shame he was ready to hold.
"So, nothing's really going to happen then?"
"What do you want Rachel?" he rolled his eyes at the irritating woman
"I thought maybe we could get something to eat one evening, get to know each other?"
"You're Mercy's friend" he laughed
"And we just established you'll never be Mercy's boyfriend, so, what are you waiting for?" he looked at Mercy still watching them for a second before she was distracted by that damn Anthony again, he was forever hanging around her. "So?" she smiled knowing what that looked like "She's moved on, I think you should too"
"Okay" he agreed more out of jealousy than anything else, even then he was hoping that Mercy would run over, slap Rachel's face, drag him out of her claws, and kiss him sick, but of course that didn't happen
Three months later he really didn't know how the situation had gotten so out of hand, Rachel had followed him home to Lima and somehow, as ambitious as she seemed at college, she'd settled for teaching music at the local school near where his apartment was. It was a well-known fact he was always going back home to head up the family guitar business, that she knew.
Three months on and he was wondering how the hell he'd got to this place sitting in a hotel in Los Angeles planning on going for a night out with their oldest friends to celebrate their engagement, it wasn't even something he'd thought about doing, it was a bad conversation that went wrong.
Flashback
"Rachel" he rolled his eyes slowing her down, she was talking two hundred miles an hour again "Please stop, I have something important to say"
"You do?" she looked at him surprised
"I do" he took a breath "I just want to say" he stopped at the bell ringing
"I wonder who that is?" she watched him get up and walk towards the door
"Hi" his voice fake happy "It's your parents" he told her following them in "Arriving at my apartment?" he asked shocked
"Mom, dad" Rachel rushed towards them ignoring his question "Sam was just about to ask me to marry him"
"You were?" her dad smiled turning to look at Sam
"I wasn…."
"What did you say?" her mom interrupted him
"Well, nothing because you arrived" Rachel laughed
"So, answer the boy" her mom laughed coaxing her daughter to hurry up
"Yes, of course I'll marry you" Rachel jumped into his arms
End of Flashback
That had been a month ago and since then everything had just taken on its own life, wedding plans were being made, things were being booked, dates agreed, and invites were ready to be sent and he was just running along with it
"We're getting married in three months" Rachel jumped on the bed shaking him out of his thoughts as she grabbed him from the back around his neck
"Yeah" he smiled weakly, he really wasn't the kind to hurt anyone's feelings
"It will be great to see Blaine and Kurt tonight" she bounced on the bed with excitement
"Yeah" he smiled, she was never one to read anyone's mood except her own, Kurt hated her with a vengeance, and she didn't even acknowledge it
"How do I look?" she jumped off the bed to stand in front of him
"Yeah" he got up, pushed his feet in his brogues, tied them and he was ready "Good to go?" he asked reaching for the door.
Rachel
Rachel knew what that distant look in his eyes was all about, there had been times in their short relationship when he'd close down all together, and of course she'd run to Blaine for advice. From day one Kurt had warned her to leave well enough alone, like him she knew that Sam had invested more into Mercy than he'd ever be willing to admit, and she also knew she had a lot to do with the reason the two of them weren't together
Flashback
"So, what you like him?" she'd sat patting her skirt down in the bathroom watching Mercy battling with her feelings
"Yes I do" she finally stood still to admit her feelings for the boy
"So, you know there's no way your brother's going to let you walk around with a white guy on your arm"
"I know, but I really like him"
"Enough to lose your family"
"I think so" Mercy looked at her confused "When you know you just know, don't you?"
"And what about your gig in LA, what's going to happen when you finish college and move there, for two years, how's that going to work, you know he wants to go back to Lima for his family"
"I know he does, it sounds impossible doesn't it?"
"It will never work Mercy; you might as well wait until you get to LA and find someone"
"But I don't want to get over him"
"You will" Rachel assured her
"You think?"
"A month in and you'll be thinking, Sam who, I promise" Rachel smiled rubbing her back
Her plan threatened to backfire when Mercy come to her a few days later more determined than ever to ask him out she had to act fast
End of Flashback
The truth was she'd got a massive crush on Sam, but he rarely paid her any attention when Mercy was around, and she needed to find a way to get him all to herself. So, she'd been having like conversations with them dropping that little mis-interpreted lie in their ear, it was so subtle and sincere neither of them noticed even when they finally made the decision to give up on something they hadn't even given a chance.
These past few days he'd been in his own world a lot more than he usually was, she was wondering if he was having cold feet about the wedding, so she'd arranged to meet up with Blaine and Kurt to give him something else to think about. Blaine was his best friend, he could usually raise a smile when all else failed and he could also find out what the problem was, talk about it and he'd be back to his old self after a man hugging weekend. So, she'd brought them all together under the false pretence of celebrating their engagement, but in truth she was trying to save her already failing relationship.
"Good to go" she smiled at him stood in the doorway, checked her hair, grabbed her purse and they were gone
What's this place called again?" he asked dropping his arm to get her off him
"Diana's, maybe after the princess"
Diana's
"Can you see them?" Rachel stood next to Sam looking around "Should I call them?"
"Seriously" he looked at her shaking his head "Come on" she grabbed his hand and walked into the crowd, they found the bar and grabbed a couple of drinks before carrying on their search
"Dude" Blaine stood up calling them as they passed by
"Hey" Sam walked towards his friend, with a smile on his face for the first time in ages "Dude" he hugged Blaine laughing "Good to see you" he hugged him again "Kurt" he smiled hugging him too "Good to see you too buddy"
"You too" Kurt smiled taking the hug
"Hi" Rachel put her drink on the table and took her coat off, before sitting down to cattle on about her life and how hard done by she was. She knew Kurt couldn't stand her, and Blaine only spoke to her out of courtesy to Sam, but one night of this was worth a lifetime of happiness
"Shall we go get some drinks?" Blaine asked Sam fed up with listening to her
"Please" Sam laughed jumping up to follow Blaine
"Where are you off to?" Rachel ask Sam
"I'm just slipping out of my damn leash" he replied sarcastically walking off while cutting his eye at her
"Is everything alright with you two?" Blaine asked him as they made their way to the bar
"Everything's fine, except I'm engaged to be married to a girl I don't even like"
"Dude" Blaine looked at the bar stools and sat on one "What's going on, you still hooked on Mercedes?"
"I know that's never going to happen but" he raked his hand through his hair "All I know is that I'm not into Rachel"
"Well tell her before this thing gets any bigger"
"It's already big" Sam told him "Her parents have gone all out on this shit; I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings"
"Including your own?" Blaine asked "Dude the worst thing you can do to yourself is live a lie"
"How the fuck have I ended up here, I've blown the only relationship I've ever wanted without saying a damn word, I crave silence, and I'm verging on depressed" he raked his hand through his hair again
"What about talking to her?"
"I don't want to talk to her, she's always known that I liked Mercy, yet she went there, I mean we went there, but I can't help thinking…"
"What, that she set this up?" Blaine gasped "Dude that's heavy"
"That's what's in my head, dots are joining up"
"Kurt says that crap all the time" Blaine laughed
"And he's Mercy best friend, do you suppose he knows something?"
"He'd never betray Mercy trust"
"Does he see her?"
"Not since college, they talked, she left, he's never talked about it"
"You want to order?" the bartender was stood listening to their conversation
"Oh" Sam looked at Blaine "What are you guys having?"
"Beer, cold" Blaine told the bartender
"Three please and a pink gin on the rocks" Sam told them "And a shot"
"Shot?" Blaine looked at him "Is that the answer?"
"It's the only answer I've got for now" he grabbed the shot, downed it in one, and grabbed two of the drinks to make their way back to the table
"So" Kurt cut his eye at Blaine "I can't believe you actually decided to listen to her bullshit for the rest of your natural" he looked at Sam
"Charming" Rachel laughed, quietening when she was the only one laughing
"Oh" Blaine turned to look at the stage lighting up "I didn't know they did shows in here"
"I hope it's karaoke" Rachel laughed looking at Blaine "Fancy it?"
"Definitely not" Kurt warned
It was a while before the music started, people crowded around the small stage, "This one's called 'Bitch Don't Be Mad' originally sang by Maeta, it's historically to a guy but tonight its going out to a bitch I thought was a friend back then, but it turns out they were playing my ass" her voice came over the mic, as soon as they heard the singing they sat stunned into silence knowing exactly who it was
I ain't mad, cause I know I'm the best shit that you'll have, putting on Versace in black, black, black, black
Getting that, I told you I would, remember that babe
"Is that Mercy?" Sam stood up to get a better look, surprised when she was staring right at him
"Didn't she hit the big time she wouldn't be in a place like this.. would she?" Kurt stood up shocked at seeing his best friend stood there singing
Now that I'm lying in these sheets, got them brand new, feels so fucking good, without you
You wish you didn't play those games, yeah, yeah bitch, don't be mad, oh, oh, bitch, don't be mad, oh, oh
"You knew she was here didn't you?" Rachel jumped up hissing at Sam
"I didn't, but I'm guessing you're the bitch she's talking about" Sam told her
"What do you mean?"
"Someone she thought was a friend?" Sam looked at her "You did something to her didn't you, what did you do?"
"I did nothing to her"
"So why did she leave?"
"Are you defending her or me?"
"If you did something to hurt her, I'm not defending you"
Mercy
She'd seen Kurt and Blaine walk in, she was just about to surprise them, she was standing at the bar ordering a drink when Sam walked in with Rachel, she couldn't lie it hurt as if it had all happened yesterday. She realised in that second she was still in love with him, but what her so called friend had done to her that day stung, it had ruined her confidence, Rachel's actions were just plain unforgivable.
Those last few months of college they'd had so many conversations about Sam, she understood him thinking he wasn't her type, she was R&B all the way, her songs always portrayed her to be someone she wasn't. She was a strong black woman for sure, but her heart was soft as bubbles when it came to that boy, she liked him, big time. Rachel knew that and had still talked her so far down she was doubting herself she was convinced it wasn't meant to be.
But on that last day she'd had the conversation with her brother, who told her he loved her unconditionally, spoken to her mother who just wanted her to be happy and to hell with what anyone thought, because love had no colour just feeling, so she'd made up her mind to ask Sam out
Flashback
"You're going to do what?" Rachel stood in the bathroom asking, her tone making Mercy feel stupid for saying it
"I've spoken to my family and they're all fine with it, so I'm going to ask him out" she nodded with determination
"Do you think that's wise, maybe I should pave the way, I mean, don't forget he has issues with you being black too"
"We can talk about that"
"Remember I told you he was uncomfortable talking to you about it?"
"Yeah" Mercy smiled "Okay, just have a conversation with him, let him know I'm going to talk to him, and I'll take it from there" she confirmed
"Dinner time"
"Dinner time" Mercy squealed having made her mind up
Dinner time Mercy sat on the wall watching Sam and Rachel have this conversation that was going to result in her having her first boyfriend, she was absolutely devasted when he got up and Rachel grabbed his hand. She watched them walk off together talking, Rachel laughing at whatever he'd said before she turned and gave her the most devilish of looks, and in that moment she knew that girl wasn't her friend she was her worst enemy.
She didn't have the guts to walk up to them and call the girl out, she didn't know what to say or do, so after watching them play the love game for a month she didn't attend graduation, she'd signed with an indie label in Los Angeles and left, only to be dumped after the first EP.
End of Flashback
She was making money to go home she'd heard from Kurt that Rachel and Sam had shacked up straight out of college and she'd dashed all hopes of anything happening for them. She was heartbroken with the whole situation, it was taking her time to get over him, but she was frustrated that the love had grown for a man who really didn't even know her feelings existed. So, now for them to turn up at her place of work, rubbing her nose in their love was a cruel twist.
And why your new girl hating on me, she could have you to herself I wouldn't blink, blink, blink, blink
In fact I hope she does for me, some sanity, yeah
Worse still she couldn't believe Kurt was sitting with them, he'd hated Rachel from the start, tried to tell her that the girl was no good, but she wouldn't listen, she hadn't made many friends at college, Rachel had hooked onto her, and it has taken until that day for her to realise why the bitch wanted to be her friend.
She looked at Sam with Rachel desperately hanging on his arm and wondered what the hell she'd ever seen in him, he'd been nothing like the man she'd dreamed up in her head, he was attracted to Rachel fucking Berry and anyone that liked her enough to sleep with her could never be for her.
Now that I'm lying in these sheets got them brand new, feels so fucking good, without you
You wish you didn't play those games, yeah, yeah, bitch, don't be mad, oh, oh, bitch, don't be mad, oh, oh
She really didn't want to smile at his face all surprised, smiling, and vulnerable at the same time, but something inside her made her, his eyes widened just like that day she'd looked at him when she'd thought Rachel was telling him about her, she saw the same spark then, her mind wondered for a second, finally letting his eyes go to get on with her song.
Now that I'm probably on a beach, I'm on all your screens, I've been making new friends, ah
Coming on top, top, drop, no time for bullshit, yeah, you took your shot, block, block
Got blocked, you hate that you know, I've been there before, nah, nah, bitch, don't be mad, yeah..
"Kurt" Mercy smiled when she reached their table "What are you doing here?" she hugged him
"Me" he laughed "Girl what are you doing here?" he looked around the club
"This is my spot; I do this between gigs" she smiled
"So, you're in between gigs?" Kurt hugged her again
"Yeah" she giggled
"You remember Blaine?"
"Cause I do" she smiled hugging him "Nice to see you again" she looked at Sam "Sam" she didn't have a hug for him, he was sad about that
"So, I'm invisible?" Rachel asked, obviously put out by Mercy non-acknowledgement of her
"Fuck off Berry" Mercy snapped at her, Sam looked at Rachel, she'd never mentioned anything about being on bad terms with Mercy
"What's going on?" he looked at Mercy then Rachel
"Mercy please" Kurt used hand motions to ask her to lower her voice "We don't want a scene"
"So, what are you guys doing here?" Mercy quickly changed the subject, still looking at Kurt
"Oh" Blaine looked at Sam "They got engaged"
"We're getting married in three months" Rachel smirked
"Oh" Mercy looked at Sam and they back at Kurt "You two should come backstage, catch up"
"This is their party" Blaine told her, aware she hadn't invited them
"So, stay" Mercy told him flippantly
"I'm going" Kurt told Blaine turning to follow Mercy
"Mercy" Sam called
"Sam" she stopped to look at him
"Can we have a conversation" he looked at Blaine "In private?"
"Don't you mean we?" Rachel asked
"No" Sam snapped
"Dude" Blaine looked at him, he could tell something was happening for him
"I'm fine, I just need to have a conversation with Mercy"
"Now?" Blaine asked
"Dude" he rolled his eyes "Nearly a year I've waited to even say her name to her face, I need to have my say" he looked at Mercy "Can we?"
"I have time before my next song" he stepped off to follow her
"How long are you going to be?" Rachel asked
"I really will take it from here" Mercy looked at her smirking, before walking Sam across the dancefloor through the side stage door and down the corridor to her dressing room in silence
Sam & Mercy
"I get the feeling I missed out on something with you" Sam smiled "It's like we had a whole relationship in silence" he looked at her sheepishly "And when Rachel warned me you have this thing about white guys I sort of backed off instead of challenging you on it"
"You have a thing about black girls" she turned to look at him
"Just one black girl in particular" he smiled
"But… you're not into black girls" Mercy looked at him suspiciously
"I am" he smiled "You're not into white dudes" he rolled his eyes
"Rachel" they both huffed
"Let's take the middle person out of this conversation" Sam laughed
"Long overdue" she smiled "So" she looked around the room embarrassed "I guess you know I've got this thing for you"
"I've got an even bigger thing for you" he smiled
"She was supposed to tell you I wanted to talk to you that day, I was going to ask you to be with me"
"She told me there was no way we were going to happen" he told her "Even lead me to believe you were seeing that Anthony"
"I wasn't seeing that fool" she laughed
"I didn't know that I just knew you weren't into white guys" he laughed
"And now you're marrying her?"
"No, that was all just a big mistake that I don't know how to fix" he sighed
They sat telling their stories, hers of the battle with herself about not being enough for him, his of his feelings and the coffee that ended in Rachel following him home to Lima, and the breakup that went wrong
"So, the wedding?"
"It's not happening but I don't know how to tell them"
"I used to be that person but I'm a changed woman" she smiled "So what do you want to do?"
"End things with Rachel, just walk away" he snapped "What do you want to do?"
"Be the one to end your thing with Rachel" she grabbed him by the neck and kissed him, he let her, he'd missed this feeling "Let's do this" she pulled away from him and headed for the door
"Hold up" he pulled her back and kissed her again
"Wow" she licked her lips "I've got to do this next song, but when I finish just go with anything I say" she told him as they made their way back to the club
"All the way" he grabbed her hand, letting go as they got into the main room
"I'll be over when I've finished" she kissed him again and went to do her thing dedicating 'Shade Of Yellow' by Griff to him
…Yeah there's a light in your room, and it burns like a shade of yellow
And it makes me feel sane in the head, and I swear that's rare these days haven't felt like this in a while
And I will keep I will keep on running, running right back running right back running right back to here to here, to here
Take refuge in you baby If it's okay my dear and I will keep I will keep on running, baby
Running right back running right back running right back to you to you, to you if it's the last thing we do to you, to you.
Rachel was pissed before he'd left the room, but now Mercy was dedicating love songs to her fiancé she had shit to say, she was tapping her foot hard waiting for the song to finish, Sam, Blaine and Kurt were stood enjoying the show
"Rachel" she snapped when she got to their table
"Mercedes" Rachel stood up, trying to stop herself from slapping Mercy's face
"I just fucked your man"
"What?" Rachel gasped, Kurt and Blaine sat gobsmacked while Sam stood smirking "Tramp" she shouted at her
"And after my show, I'm going to fuck him again" she grabbed his collar and kissed him in front of her "Sucks for you, Oh, I nearly forgot how to pass on a message" she held a finger up "Sam said you're to forget the wedding" she let go of Sam's collar "Keep the ring" she looked at it sat on her finger "Your parents brought it anyway, didn't they?"
"Fuck you Mercy" Rachel hissed at her "Tramp"
"Oh, trust me" Mercy laughed "He's going to enjoy finding out why this lady is a tramp"
"Love it" Kurt clapped his hands excitedly "You've finally been served" he hissed at Rachel hugging Mercy
"Dude" Blaine stopped Sam "Are you good?"
"More than good" he threw some money on the table "Make sure she gets back to the hotel, will you?"
"Sure" Kurt grinned grabbing the money