DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ANYTHING ELSE.

ENJOY :)

After taking a week to recover and getting some much needed rest, Mercedes was excited to get back to school. Quinn had agreed to pick and drop her off everyday, and help her with her books and things at school. When she arrived, she was immediately overwhelmed by the genuine care from her peers. Every person she walked by told her that she did good Friday and wished her a speedy recovery. They had no idea how good that made her feel, especially since she was still battling depression about a lot of things.

"I seriously can't do it. I'm so dominate with my right hand, I can't do anything without it." Quinn said with a chuckle as her and Mercedes walked out the cafeteria.

Mercedes giggled as she walked beside her, "Believe it or not, this isn't my first time getting hurt like this. I mean not to this extent, but I have sprained wrist several times. I had to learn how to do a lot with my left hand, so as I got older, it just became easier."

"I want to be like you when I grow up." Quinn smiled when she let out a loud laugh, rounding the corner to head to her locker, "Are we still on for our girls weekend at my house?"

"Yes." Mercedes answered as she watched her unlock her locker, smiling as she leaned back against the others one, "Santana and Tina are pretty excited as well."

"I am too. I'm happy that we have gotten so close. It feels really good to be surrounded by real friends." Quinn spoke honestly as she filled Mercedes' backpack with her items she needed to take home, "You girls have literally been a blessing, especially you."

"You're going to make me cry, Q." Mercedes gave her a soft smile as she felt her eyes watering up, chuckling at herself, "I haven't cried this much in years. I believe this is a side effect to these medicines the doctor has me on."

Quinn snorted as she closed her locker before closing up her bag, "It may or may not be."

"You're right." Mercedes let out another giggle as they started back walking, making their way outside, "By the way, Sam told me you helped him, so thank you for that because his gift was really sweet..literally."

"I'm glad he decided to visit you. He really took it hard and blamed himself for what happened."

Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip as they made it to the doors, turning to her, "It wasn't his fault and I told him that."

Quinn nodded understandably, trying not to hint as much as possible about her cousin's obvious feelings for her best friend, "He felt like it was after how he was treating you. I've never seen him so hurt like he was. When he did go see you, I could tell he did by his mood change."

Mercedes raised her brow as she stared at her curiously, "How so?"

Before Quinn could answer, Leo came up the stairs with a smile on his face, "It's time to relieve you." He said as he grabbed Mercedes' backpack from Quinn's shoulder and placed on his own, grabbing ahold of Mercedes' left hand, "Let's go."

"I'll see you at two."

Mercedes nodded at Quinn when she called after them, "Okay." She turned back around and looked up at Leo, "Cheesecake."

"Strawberry." Leo smirked at their little inside joke as they walked down the steps, making their way to the field, "I know you've been getting this question all day, but how are you feeling, baby deer?"

"A lot better than I have been." Mercedes answered truthfully as she watched him nod his head. Once they made it to the field, Leo sat her backpack on the table next to the water coolers. Since Mercedes couldn't play anymore, that didn't mean she was going to stop coming to practices.

"Look who's back." Garret said with a big smile as his words caused everyone to turn into her direction. He sat helmet down on the ground and went over to where she was so he could give her a hug, "Hey little sister."

"Hi." Mercedes smiled as she gave him a side hug, greeting everyone as they came over and spoke to her.

Coach Mac crossed his arms as he walked up and gave her a knowing look, "Shouldn't you be at home resting?"

Mercedes looked at him then everyone else, nodding, "Yes, but I'm still apart of this team. I may not can play but that doesn't mean I shouldn't show up and support y'all." Her eyes traveled over to Sam, who was now standing beside Leo, "Plus, who else is going to keep Samuel in line?"

Sam stared her as a smile appeared on his lips at her words, glancing over at Leo when he felt his eyes on him, "What?"

"Oh nothing.." Leo said with a smirk as he turned back to look at Mercedes, watching as she redirected her eyes elsewhere, whispering, "Nothing at all."

"You got a point on that." Coach Mac teasingly said as Sam rolled his eyes, he chuckled before speaking again, "Alright guys. Our start to playoffs has been a little rocky but we've done good. We forfeit two weeks ago, won the away game on Friday, we have a break this week and next week's game we have to win in order to make it to the championship."

"Practice will be long until next Wednesday, so be prepared. We will be breaking you down into different sections. Some will be practicing on opposite fields, others will be in the weight room." Assistant Coach Johnson spoke as he looked down at his clipboard and told everyone where they needed to be. Once he was done, he looked back up and over at Mercedes, "Since you want to be here little missy, you can be with Sam. He's just doing his regular throwing drills and going over new plays."

Mercedes nodded her head as she gave him a smile before going over to stand in front of Sam, "Is it okay that I'm with you?"

"Of course. I'm really happy I can have you to myself." Sam closed his eyes once he realized how that sounded, shaking his head as he sighed, "I..shit."

Mercedes tugged on her bottom lip at his words, giggling nervously as she began to walk pass him, "I know what you meant."

Sam watched as she headed over to the bench, cursing underneath his breath. He did not understand why he always got so nervous around her. It was something about Mercedes Jones that made him react in this way that no one else has been able to.

"Okay, no more. I can't take it." Tina snorted as she fell back onto the bed, laughing uncontrollably at one of the stories Santana was sharing, "I can't believe you went skinny dipping for ten dollars, Santana. Ten dollars."

Santana rolled her eyes at them as she crossed her legs on the couch, moving her attention back on the movie that was playing, "It's not that damn funny."

Quinn laughed as she ran the Oreo into the chocolate ice cream, "It kind of is."

The girls had all headed over to the Evans' estate after school. The night had consisted of junk food, move marathons and some good ole girl talk. It was refreshing to all of them to just be around each other with some many positive vibes and no petty drama.

"Damn Cedes." Santana catcalled as her friend came out the bathroom, waggling her brows, "The things I would do to you if you wasn't straight."

Mercedes snorted as she glanced down at the dusty rose colored satin night slip she had on, "These are the easiest things to get into because of my shoulder."

Santana fanned herself as she continued to stare at her, "And the sexiest. Them boobs though.."

"Shut up." Mercedes chuckled as she went over and sat in the chair, watching as her friend came over to put her hair up for her, "Which one of you are going to help with my wrap? It's really not that hard."

Tina nodded with an exasperated expression on her face, "Yeah it is. You told us a couple times how to do it and we still don't understand."

Quinn picked up another Oreo and bit into it, her eyes moving to her as she nodded in agreement, "Go ask Sam. He's a pro at doing things like this."

Santana smirked to herself at Quinn's suggesting, twirling Mercedes ponytail into a bun, "I'm almost positive he wouldn't mind."

"I don't want to bother him."

"Well, I guess you're not going to get it wrapped then."

Mercedes glared at her before rolling her eyes, sighing as she thanked Santana as she got up. Picking up her items off the bed, she turned around and headed out the room, chewing on her bottom lip as she walked up the stairs. Remembering Quinn saying his room was the second door on the right, she went to it and knocked, waiting for him to answer.

Sam had just got out the shower when he heard a knock on his door, yelling, "I'm coming." Wrapping the towel around his waist, he stepped out the bathroom and headed to the door and opened it. Seeing Mercedes standing there, a lump formed in his throat when he saw what she had on. Damn he thought before he smiled, "Hey."

"He-oh wow.." Mercedes said as she raised her head, seeing that he had just gotten out of shower with droplets of water on him everywhere, "Sorry, I can come back."

"It's fine." Sam smirked as he opened his door fully, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned against his doorframe, "How can I help you, ma'am?"

Mercedes cleared her throat as she stared into those green eyes, "My friends are clueless on how to wrap me up even after I explained it to them twice. If you don't mind, can you help me out?"

"I don't mind at all. Come on in." He said as he stepped aside so she could come into his room, taking her in once he turned around, "Let me just go dry off and put some clothes on."

"Okay." Mercedes sent him a smile as she watched him grabbed his things and disappear into his bathroom. She took a moment to look around his bedroom and she was impressed. First and foremost, it was huge, really clean and simple. One thing she noticed was that he had was a picture wall by the windows. She walked over to look at some, seeing that it was ones for the past and present of him and his family and friends. She smiled at the one of him and Quinn when they were little, sitting next to each other on the boat holding fish up. As she continued to scanned then, she noticed that he had a few pictures ripped up on his desk.

Sam turned the light off in his bathroom as he stepped out in his plain white t-shirt and striped pajama pants. Seeing Mercedes over by his picture wall, he noticed that she was staring at his desk, "Sorry about that, I meant to throw that mess in the garbage."

"Your ex?" Mercedes asked as she watched him come over and throw the ripped up pictures in the trash, watching as he nodded.

"More like the biggest mistake in my life."

"Don't worry, I had one of those too." Mercedes gave him a sad smile before walking over and sitting at the foot of his bed, "But I believe when that happens, they come into your life for a reason."

"I agree." Sam sat next to her on the bed, leaning over to look at her bare shoulder, wincing slightly, "This is really bad."

"It is, but it's getting better." Mercedes spoke as she watched him pick up the wrap and carefully begin to wrap it, "My doctor said as soon as it's healed enough, he wants me to start physical therapy right away."

Sam nodded in agreement as he looked at her for a moment, "I know a really good one. She helped me out when out hurt my ankle a few years ago. I can give you her number if you want."

"I would like that, thank you."

Sam sent her a smile as he grabbed the metal hooks and clipped them on to keep the bandage in place. Picking up her sling, he closed the arm part before he leaned over and dropped it over her head, making sure it was hooked up correctly, "There you go."

"Thank you, Sam."

"You're welcome and by the way, if you ever need anything or any help, don't hesitate to ask. I don't mind."

Mercedes smiled as she stared at him for a moment, not moving from his bed just yet, "I do have a question though. Where was this sweet guy when we first met?"

"Hiding under the intimidation of you." Sam answered honestly as he watched her right brow shoot up, he chuckled as he tore his eyes away from her, "Since you've came here, I just felt like you was a threat to me."

"I'm not though." Mercedes said as she shrugged, looking down at her house shoes as she spoke, "It's just high school football for me, I'm not going to be able to go any higher than that."

"I know that now but at the time, I felt like you came and just took everything away from me." Sam turned to her and sighed, "And the fact that deep down, I didn't want anything like this to happen to you. I saw you as a vulnerable girl and an easy target, and that made up some of anger to why you was on team as well."

Mercedes smiled as she leaned over and bumped his shoulder, "You have a mean way of showing you care."

Sam laughed heartily before his eyes returned to hers, "I'm working on it, trust me."

"There's nothing wrong with being a work in progress. It just means you're almost to where you want to be." Mercedes said as she stared at him, scanning his face for a moment as they sat there in comfortable complete silence until it was broken by Quinn standing at the door.

"I was wondering if you got lost but I see you're not." Quinn crossed hers arms, raising her brows at how close the two were on the bed.

Sam cleared his throat as he stood up, causing Mercedes to do so as well, "We were just talking."

"Mhm. I was just checking on you, Cedes." Quinn hummed out as she moved back into the hallway, hiding the smirk on her face before walking away.

Mercedes rolled her eyes at her when she caught that look. Looking back up at Sam, she smiled, "I should go, but thank you again for helping me."

"Anytime. I guess I'll see you in the morning." Sam said as he walked her to the door, watching as she turned around and gave him another beautiful smile.

"I guess so. Goodnight Sam."

"Goodnight." Sam said as he watched her head back down the stairs. Sighing, he leaned against his door doorframe, turning his head when he heard quiet footsteps, seeing that it was his little brother with his blanket in his hands, "What are you doing up?"

"I want to sleep with you." Brooks said as he went and stood in front of his big brother, holding out his arms.

Sam smiled as he leaned down and picked him up, stepping back into his room before he headed to his bed. He pressed a kiss to his forehead before carefully tossing him into the bed, watching as he giggled before crawling to the middle. He enjoyed being a big brother so much, his little brother was the main reason he wanted kids. He had hoped that whomever he married wanted the same thing as well.

The next morning, Sam had gotten up at five thirty like he always did and went for his thirty minute run. It wasn't much for his fitness but more so to clear his mind. He loved being able to do that in his neighborhood. It was quiet and scenery wasn't half bad either. He sighed as he looked down at his watch, slowing down his movements as he walked back up the driveway.

Mercedes came out of the bathroom from doing her morning routine, seeing that the girls were still asleep, she decided to head to the kitchen to get some water. She was has always been the first one to go to sleep and the first to wake up.

Sam locked the front door before he walked through the foyer, deciding to get him some water, he started to make his way to the kitchen. Getting closer, he heard someone in there and figured that it was his mother, "Morning mama."

"Sorry love, not your mama."

"No you're most definitely not." Sam chuckled as he sat his phone down on the counter, "Morning Mercedes."

"Good morning Sam." Mercedes sent him a smile as she leaned against the counter, "You're up super early."

Sam nodded as he went and opened the refrigerator, grabbing two things before closing and heading to the cabinet to get a bowl, "I went for a run like always. Why are you up at the crack of dawn?"

"I've always been an early bird and I was a little thirsty." Mercedes spoke as she watched him put some vanilla yogurt into a bowl then added some blueberries and granolas.

Sam grabbed two spoons and made his way to where she was, placing the bowl in front of them. He handed her the spoon before sitting his in the bowl, grabbing an orange to begin to peel, "I feel like we should get to know each other better."

"What would you like to know?"

"Whatever you want to share with me."

"I'll give you the generic things to begin with. My favorite color is green. I love all types of music. I'm allergic to peanut butter. I love sports. I have three brothers, which you already know. Um, oh..I actually want to go to school to be a veterinarian."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I love animals. I had an obsession of wanting to own a farm when I was younger." Mercedes laughed a bit as she bit down on her bottom lip, shaking her head, "Country girl to the extremes."

Sam listened to her laugh and it was everything. But nothing could beat her smile, it was breathtaking, "You have a beautiful smile."

Mercedes chuckled as she moved the spoon in the bowl, feeling her cheeks starting to heat up, "Thank you."

Sam blushed furiously at his comment, catching himself and Mercedes off guard. He took a slice of orange and placed it in his mouth, looking behind to the door when he heard someone come into the kitchen.

Shana stopped short when she saw the two teenagers, "Well, good morning you two. I didn't expect anyone to be up yet."

"Good morning, Mrs. Evans." Mercedes sent her a warm smile as she watched the older woman come into the kitchen.

"Sam making you eat yogurt knowing good and damn well I was going to fix breakfast." Shana side eyed her son as he sighed and grumbled something underneath his breath, she reached over and grabbed his chin, "What you say?"

"Nothing mama."

"I thought so." Shana glared at him before letting go and making her way to get some coffee started.

Mercedes giggled as she watched him pout and rub his chin, sticking her spoon in her mouth as she studied him. It was so weird yet warm to see this side of him. He was sweet, funny, and she wasn't going lie, fine as ever.

Sam picked up his own spoon and put some of the yogurt in his mouth, looking up when he felt her staring at him, "Why are you analyzing me?"

Mercedes scooped up some more yogurt and placed it in her mouth, giving him a sly smirk, "Because you're interesting, that's all."

Shana turned the pot on before glancing up at them. It was so obvious that they were into each other. She really could tell that her son liked Mercedes all by the look on his face. She has never seen him like this, especially with that trifling ex of his.

"No need to cook anyways, mama. Dad said he's literally bringing home the bacon in a few." Sam smirked when he noticed the look she was giving him, knowing that it was going to set her off.

"He's knows I cook when we have guest, what the hell has been wrong with you Evans men lately?" Shana grunted as she grabbed the house phone and walked out the kitchen to call her husband and give him a piece of her mind.

Sam snorted as he shook his head, "My mom loves to cook and she loves when we have friends over so she can go all out."

"Mine is the same. My dad is actually worse than my mom. He always wants to show off his skills on the grill. He calls himself Mac Daddy Duncan aka The Grill Master."

"Are you serious?" Sam laughed out loud at that, watching as Mercedes nodded her head embarrassingly, "Well, that only makes me want some of his barbecue."

"Trust me, it's good too. You'll have to try it some day."

"Most definitely."

Mercedes leaned over and took her finger to wipe some of the yogurt from the side of his mouth.

Instant tingles spread throughout him when her finger touched the side of his mouth. He gulped as he stared at her, watching as she pulled back biting on her bottom lip, "T-Thank you."

The vibe in the room definitely shifted as Mercedes looked away from him. She for one couldn't believe she just did that, but it was just something about being around him lately that has made her so carefree. What was going on with her?

"Um..yeah." Sam tried to get his thoughts together, looking down at his hands before he took a calming breath, "We actually have a farm. I could take you there one day if you'd like."

"I would love that actually."

"It's a date then." Sam eyes went wide as the words rolled off his tongue, opening his mouth to try to recover but Mercedes beat him to it.

"It's a date."

"What's a date? Who's going on a date?" Santana questioned as she came into the kitchen with Tina and Quinn in tow, scanning her eyes over at the two.

Sam rolled his eyes as he moved away for Mercedes, watching as his dad came into the kitchen with bags in his hands.

"Good morning kids, much to the misses dismay, breakfast from Rita's has arrived."

Galvin greeted as his wife trailed behind with a frown plastered on her lips before she excused herself to go get Brooks, "Help me set this up blondie and brunette."

Quinn let out a snort at her uncle as she went over next to Sam and began pulling the items out. Giving him a small glance, she promised herself she wasn't going to intervene with anything and she wasn't. She would let them figure it out themselves but if they needed a little push, she would gladly give it to them.

A/N. Okay, I see you Samcedes with these flirtatious vibes y'all got going. Please be patient with these two, you may think they're oblivious to their attraction to one another but they're not. They're building a friendship right now and just want to focus on that for the time being. But are their feelings going to let them do that? And yes, we will be getting flashbacks for certain things mentioned throughout the first few chapters & this one!