Enjoy Lovebugs.
I DO NOT OWN GLEE, THE REAL, OR THE SONG USED.
SONG USED: Blast Off by Silk Sonic
Mercedes hastily fixed her makeup and headed out of the dressing room to get caught up with the other co-hosts. Jane and Tina were already in their places the only people missing were Quinn and Sam, but Quinn had a family emergency so she would be absent from the show for the rest of the week. Mercedes grabbed her binder from one of the assistants and headed to her assigned spot.
"Mercedes are you ok, you look a little flushed," Jane asked.
"Yeah, I am fine just a bit hot," Mercedes answered with a smile.
"Really, I am kind of cold," Tina added.
"It was hot in my dressing room," Mercedes lied.
"Alright, ladies, Sam is joining the panel for the month, and Mercedes you are going to be introducing him. The first topic of the day is forbidden romance. Can you have a relationship with your coworker?" Santana said. Mercedes instantly deflated a little bit, the topic would be something she was currently debating at the moment.
"Merce, are you sure you are ok?" Jane whispered.
"Yes Jane I am fine," Mercedes said.
"Oh another thing, Sam will be sitting right beside you Merce on the end replacing Quinn's spot," Santana mentioned.
"Perfect," Mercedes breathed.
"Ok, we are live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." The director spoke.
"Welcome back to The Real, now if you have noticed we are missing one of our co-hosts, Quinn Fabray. She will be back next week we miss you Quinny. Now our ratings sky-rocketed when this person was on the show so we decided to gift you guys with this person for the whole month. Sam Evans is coming in as our month-long co-host, so come on out Sam," Mercedes cheered. Sam walked out at his entrance and gave Jane and Tina a hug before pausing at Mercedes.
Sam whispered, "Your cute when you are flustered." Then he walked to his spot and took the seat.
"Thank you Sam for coming back, and for a whole month, might I add." Tina started.
"Well, thanks for having me, I am glad to be here." He replied casually.
"Alright let's get into today's topic. So today we are pondering the question can you have an intimate relationship with your coworker. Now some people can say they can, while others will simply say keep it professional, so Sam what do you think?" Jane asked.
"I mean as long as both people are clear on what they want from each other, and are willing to keep their personal life separate from their professional life they will be fine," answered Sam.
"But what about when one of them has repeatedly said they want something more, but the other has also said they want that but they keep persisting a relationship?" Mercedes asked without thinking.
"What do you mean Mercedes?" Tina asked.
"Well let's say one of them wants to settle down and actually be in a relationship, but the other person just wants casual sex what are you supposed to do then?"
"I think one of them has to respect the other," Sam answered.
"But why settle for less than what you want?" Mercedes rebuttal.
"Maybe you aren't, maybe in the end both parties get what they want if they are willing for it to work," Sam said.
"Well, I think it is unethical. You are supposed to come in a do your job not check something off of your bucket list. And Mercedes I think they shouldn't settle they should get what they want, and that means everything they want." Jane replied.
"Well we have to cut to commercial, but don't go anywhere because we will back in a minute right here on The Real." Tina closed them out.
"Have I told you sexy you look with this shirt on?" Sam whispered to Mercedes as he strategically placed his hand on her inner thigh without anyone suspecting anything.
"Sam, ok look, all of this seducing me shit has got to stop." Mercedes angrily whispered.
"Would you be fine with it if it was Tank?"
"No, Sam, please leave our relationship where it is at, ok. We both understand what we want in life and what the other wants. We are not in the same place, and the sooner you realize that the better." Mercedes said as she took his hand and flung it back to himself. Sam felt deflated at Mercedes's words and he kind of felt like an asshole. Here he was ignoring the woman's feelings and her wants for the satisfaction of his own needs. He decided that if he really wanted Mercedes he was going to have look into himself and figure out could he really be the man that Mercedes deserved. After the show was over he headed home immediately and called his good friend Brock over. Brock was always there for Sam to help Sam make the right decisions. He was Sam's brother not by blood but by loyalty and friendship.
"So explain to me why you called me over randomly?" Brock said as he headed into the kitchen with Sam and grabbed himself a beer.
"I want Mercedes Jones," Sam answered.
"You and every man and woman on the entire planet, but you don't do relationships so why are you deciding to do this," Brock questioned.
"Because I can't keep having her as a friend anymore, I want all of her, and I know if I hit it and quit it then it will all go to shit. So what do I do?"
"Swoon her, show her you are actually going to make an effort and make her feel wanted. You have to be the best version of yourself so she can truly believe that you are with her for the long run, because her only description of you when it comes to relationships is you don't like them." Brock explained.
"But I am running out of time, she is with some guy name Tank."
"TANK, AS IN THE LATEST UNDERGROUND ARTIST TANK?" Brock exclaimed.
"I guess why should I be worried?"
"Yes, look between me and you something is off with him, look are they going to dinner tonight."
"Yeah, I overheard talking to Jane about it, they are going to Balajane Steak's House on 17th street at six o'clock."
"Well get your ass in the shower and get over there you have to go and go now," Brock exclaimed. Sam hopped in the shower and brushed his teeth and put on his best threads. He had on a black turtleneck with matching jeans and a leather jacket with a silver chain on his neck. Then he combed out his hair. Then he got in his car and sped to the restaurant. He waltzed in and lied about having a reservation when he saw Mercedes sitting alone.
"Mercedes, hey," Sam said as he sat in the booth.
"Sam, what the hell are you doing here?" She questioned.
"Look, I know you keep asking me for more, and I am willing to give it you, I can't watch you date him knowing that I missed out on an opportunity to be with you. And I know you want more and I am willing to try. For you, because I can't be your friend anymore and have these thoughts running through my mind anymore. So say the word and we can blow this joint."
"But what about Tank he is in the bathroom?"
"He'll be fine, so what do you say babe?" Sam questioned as he held his hand out. Mercedes looked at his hand and started to think. To be honest with herself she didn't really see anything happening between her and Tank but it was still rude to leave, but at the same time, the man she constantly thought about constantly was finally offering what she wanted this entire time. She wanted Sam, and it was killing her to be his friend and want more but she had morals and values for herself. However, here Sam was offering her everything she could have ever wanted. She placed her hand in Sam's and they jolted from the restaurant and hopped in Sam's car.
"So Evans assuming that you planned this through where are you taking me?" Mercedes questioned.
"That Jones is a surprise," Sam winked as he placed his hand on her leg. The two continued to drive in the LA night sky until they pulled up to what Mercedes assumed was a park. They exited the car and Sam came to her side and guided them to a lit-up gazebo with a small picnic in place.
"Sam this is beautiful, there is no way you set all this up so quickly," Mercedes said.
"No the little dummy had some help, hi Mercedes," Brock said as he came from the darkness and greeted the two.
"Hi, Brock." Mercedes said as she gave him a hug.
"Hi, sweet face."
"Thanks, man everything looks nice," Sam thanked him.
"No problem, but I am asking my repayment very soon, you kids have a good night," Brock said as he left.
"Shall we," Sam said as he led the two to the picnic and they both sat down.
"So the question, what exactly were you going to do with Tank it didn't seem like you liked him."
"He was kind of just a friend, I couldn't have seen myself dating him, he was nice though, I just hope he can take this pill to swallow easy," Mercedes admitted.
"He'll be fine, besides you didn't need him anyway."
"Hell, I wasn't going to be able to do anything with him."
"Why do you say that,"
"Sam you have nearly had sex with me two times, I am ruined for life because of you," Mercedes said.
"Well, I am going to give myself a pat on the back for that." Sam chuckled.
"So what exactly are we doing, in technical terms Sam. Just because you saved me from the potential worst date of the century doesn't mean that we are going to date automatically."
"I know. Right now I am just courting you, showing you I can be a gentleman. All that nice stuff."
"When did you become such a gentleman?"
"I've always been a gentleman."
"Being a gentleman does not mean defiling your best friend with your fingers."
"Awe, you loved it, but no I am refraining from doing any of that for a while, but trust the moment you say the word, you will be begging for more," Sam said confidently.
"Hmm, nice information to know." Mercedes smiled as she grabbed her phone and played a song.
"Dance with me Sam," Mercedes said as she stood and placed her hand out to his. He got up and grabbed her hand and pulled her close as the music started to play.
Clouds are blowin', don't know where we're goin'
But we're levitatin' up in this room (Ah-ah-ah)
All these colors just like rainbows in summer Got us smilin' like our dreams just came true (Yeah)
I took a little somethin' to get here, yeah, yeah I got a little more if you're ready, we can have it all
Oh, let's tip-toe to a magical place Blast off and kiss the moon tonight And watch the world go crazy from outer space Blast off into the sky
As we're flyin', stars are multiplyin'
We're up so high, we'd be fools to look down Shapes turn paisley, this is so amazin'
Destination, pure sensation startin' right now (Woo)
I took a little somethin' to get here, yeah, yeah I got a little more if you're ready, we can have it all
Oh, let's tip-toe to a magical place Blast off and kiss the moon tonight And watch the world go crazy from outer space Blast off into the sky
Into the sky Into the sky Dance all night on Saturn's ring If you got some friends that you wanna bring, then come on It's time to take this party up and beyond
Let's tip-toe to a magical place (Come fly with me)
Blast off and kiss the moon tonight (To the moon and the stars above)
And watch the world go crazy from outer space Blast off into the sky
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah)
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah)
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah)
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah, come on)
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah)
All the way from the stratosphere Sendin' love from up above Happy trails, baba
When the song ended Mercedes looked up at Sam and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.
"I had a great time tonight Sam, and thank you for finally taking into consideration what I was saying."
"No problem Merce, I guess I should get you home we have an early call time tomorrow," Sam said.
"Yeah," Mercedes said. The two cleaned up the mess and headed into the car. Sam drove Mercedes to her penthouse and put the car in park. He reached over and pulled her face towards his and gave her a lingering kiss.
"Goodnight Jones."
"Goodnight Evans."