*Disclaimer- I do not own Glee, its' characters or its' music.

Chapter 10

As the tour continued its journey through Georgia and South Carolina, Sam and Mercedes started their "light" dating. In the span of three weeks, they had already created routines to their dates. After the first night of Mercedes' concert performance, Sam and Mercedes would visit an ice cream restaurant in that city. Following that, their dates varied. Sometimes they would go out to dinner or watch a movie at the theater or even go sightseeing in the city. Laughter was a constant when Sam and Mercedes were with each other. They grew to know the other's quirks and personality.

For example, Mercedes still had to try to get her own way when a decision needed to be made, but Sam was learning that the best way to win the fight was not to give her one, which drove her NUTS! Mercedes loved a debate and when she couldn't get one, she hated it. Sam loved seeing her exasperated when he acted nonchalant about something.

They both showed that they were had a jealous streak. Sam became extra protective of male fans who approached Mercedes for autographs, while Mercedes interrupted every conversation Britney had with Sam. One evening, Mercedes watched Britney flirt with Sam backstage after rehearsal, touching his face and asking him to help her with some of the dance routines. Somehow, the taxi that Britney caught to take her back to the hotel ended up taking her to the opposite side of the state. Britney didn't notice the taxi was going the wrong way until they were 4 hours into the drive! She ended up having to stay in a hotel in the town overnight and return to the crew the following morning! The taxi cab driver apparently was given strict directions from "someone" on where to drop Britney that night. When Sam told Mercedes what happened, she shrugged her shoulders and said "She must have bad karma."

Mercedes continued to keep the relationship secret from her manager Sebastian and even Tina, which was more challenging than she thought. Sebastian was easy because he was completely in the dark about anything in Mercedes' personal life. Tina was a whole different problem. Although Tina was at home with the baby, she knew Mercedes. So every time Mercedes called her, the topic of Sam would always come up. "So how's Sam? You know, your friend?" Tina always pronounced the word friend with emphasis. Mercedes would constantly deny anything was happening between them, but she knew Tina was not buying it.

Truthfully, Mercedes had never been well treated in a relationship before being with Sam. He never let her pay for anything on their dates and treated her with the utmost chivalry. He opened every door, pulled every chair and made sure she was always comfortable. He had the best impressions and never hesitates to be silly when he wants to be. The only problem for Mercedes came at the end of the night. Every night, after spending the day cuddling and making out, Sam would pack up his things and go back to his room. Three weeks into seeing each other practically everyday, Sam never broached the idea of wanting to sleep with Mercedes, which had her climbing the walls. She didn't understand how they would be in the midst of an intense makeout session with her practically naked in front of him and he would excuse himself and go to the bathroom or say he needed to go or say he wasn't feeling well. Mercedes wondered if maybe the idea of having sex with her just turned him off. It didn't make sense to her at first because he always seemed very aroused when they were together. Sam was extremely affectionate, always holding her hand of kissing her neck. But the minute it looked like it would progress to sex, he was not in the mood.

Tonight was Mercedes' last night in South Carolina before heading to North Carolina for a three day concert. She was determined to talk to Sam tonight after the concert about what was going on. Mercedes was a nervous about what he might say, because she was becoming more and more reliant on his presence around her. Not just for her concert production, but as her friend. She was sitting in her dressing room of The Colonial Life Arena going over the music for the concert that would be happening in one hour when her cellphone rang. She noticed that it was her Dad. Mercedes cringed, knowing that he was going to harp about not talking to her this past week.

"Hey Daddy. Listen before you start, let me just say…Daddy, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

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Sam was trying to go over the set and production list for the concert tonight in the hallway of the arena. But his mind could not stay focused. He was thinking of him and Mercedes. Sam was also keeping the relationship a secret from everyone around him. Although Puck was intrigued at how well he and Mercedes were getting along, he never showed signs of suspecting something else was going on between them. Sam still didn't tell his family that he was working for Mercedes, but had been thinking about it more and more. He wanted them to meet Mercedes and get to know her for themselves. The more he knew about her, the more he wanted to know about her.

The day before he and Mercedes went to the South Carolina Water Park and stayed until they closed. They had an amazing time together, laughing and acting like teenagers. He was so relaxed with her and just loved her willingness to try new things.

After the park, they went back to his hotel room where they engaged in a heavy duty makeout session. Her body was soft and damp from being in water all day. Sam couldn't get enough of kissing her skin and wrapping their bodies in each other's warmth. Her body felt like it was just made for him. It was soft and firm at all the right places and he just couldn't get enough of her- which was the problem. He wanted more of her, and not just physically.

He hated the "light" and secret arrangement of their relationship. He wanted more with her and more from her. He found himself texting her when he heard a funny joke, or calling her to say goodnight if they didn't see each other one night. Sam has been working on a song for the last three days about her that he could not get out of his head. She was consuming his mind all the time. Sam knew that if they were to actually have sex, he wouldn't be having sex. He would be making love to her. And if he was honest with himself he knew he could not make love to someone that he was in a light, secret relationship. The fact that she was his boss was another challenge.

Sam couldn't do it. So he kept making excuses for them not to sleep together. He knew it was frustrating her and that she probably was at her limit with it. He decided tonight he would tell her the truth- he wanted more. Either they are in a real monogamous, relationship that is out in the open or he couldn't see her anymore. He had no idea how she was going to react to that, but he knew he couldn't go on with the way things were now.

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Sam was reviewing the production list, when he saw Mercedes walking slowly towards him in the hallway with her robe. She seemed to be staggering, which alarmed Sam immediately. When he was able to see her face, he saw that her face was covered in tears. He quickly walked to her and cupped her cheek.

"Mercedes, what's wrong?" His face grew more worried as Mercedes just started sobbing in his arms. "Baby, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong." He held her tight until her sobbing settled down. Then she lifted her head to him.

"It's my grandmother. She's in the hospital, Sam. They don't think she'll make it. My Sadie is dying." She sobbed in his arms as her legs gave way. Sam picked her up in his arms and carried her back to her dressing room. He laid her on the couch in the room and kneeled next to her. He stroked her hair, shushing her quietly.

"Baby, we can go see her right now. Where is she?" He asked gently. Mercedes shook her head slowly.

"She's in Virginia, Sam. Inova Hospital. But I can't go. The concert, the tickets-"

"Who cares about that?" Sam interjected. "All of that is bullshit. This is what is important. I take care of everything, ok? Just go to the hotel, pack and wait for me." Mercedes sat up and started wiping her face.

"But what about Sebastian? He is going to be so pissed." Sam shook his head as he held her up.

"This is family. This will always come first. Just get dressed, Baby. I got this. Don't worry." Mercedes nodded her head as she walked behind the screen to get dressed. Sam watched her until she was behind the screen, his heart breaking from seeing her in such a vulnerable state and then walked out of her room. He dialed Sebastian first to inform him about Mercedes' grandmother. He wasn't thrilled about her cancelling the show tonight, but after Sam explained that the audience would not really be getting her full self, he relented. Sam called the airport and booked him and Mercedes on the red eye flight tonight to Virginia. He booked a suite for her in the Marriott closest to the hospital and ordered a car to pick them up from the airport. He never realized that he automatically determined that he was going with her. All of his arrangements involved the two of them. He ordered a bouquet of 3 dozen yellow silk roses be sent to her grandmother's hospital room in Virginia. (He didn't want to chance her being allergic to real flowers so he opted for the silk ones.)

By the time Sam reached Mercedes at her hotel room, she was much more calm and packed to go. It wasn't until they were at the airport that Mercedes realized that Sam was taking his bag out of the trunk too. She was confused as she turned to him.

"You're coming with me?"

"If that's ok with you? I don't want to be alone to deal with all of this." He answered cautiously.

"Are you sure you want to come? You don't even know her."

"No, but I know you and I want to be there for you." He answered quietly. Mercedes reached up and kissed him softly on the lips, embracing him firmly.

"Thank you. I would love for you to come with me." Sam smiled as he held Mercedes close.

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After arriving in Virginia, Mercedes wanted to go straight to the hospital from the airport. The driver brought them to Inova Fairfax Hospital. They walked the halls hand in hand. Sam had been holding her hand since they were in the South Caroline airport. Mercedes was directed to the ICU unit and found her father sitting at the waiting room, wringing his hands. Sam recognized him immediately. Mercedes was the spitting image of her dad, except he was a foot taller than her. Her father's face showed weariness and fatigue. It was evident that he had been crying as his eyes were puffy and red. When he saw Mercedes walking towards him, his face brightened and he rose to his feet. Mercedes ran toward him and held him close.

"Daddy, is she still…is she alright?" Mercedes asked quietly. Her father nodded.

"She's resting right now. The doctors are watching her closely."

"What happened?" She asked.

"Apparently she had pneumonia and she is not responding well to antibiotics. Her chest is still congested. We just have to wait and pray. Do you want to go see her?" Mercedes nodded her head as her father directed her to a room. She was walking towards the room, when she realized she didn't introduce Sam. She turned to Sam and her father, but saw that Sam had introduced himself to her father and was already shaking his hand.

Mercedes walked into the hospital room and smiled at the sight of yellow roses that filled the room. Yellow is her grandmother's favorite color. She was glad her mother was surrounded by such a happy color. She walked cautiously toward her grandmother's bed, unsettled by the sight of all the monitors and tubes. She sat next to her, reaching across to hold her hand.

"Hi Sadie. It's me Mercy. I know it's been awhile since you've seen me. I've been on the tour with Adele. Remember Adele. The white girl you said reminded you of me. She is so nice, Sadie. The tour is wonderful. I think about you all the time. I carry a picture of you and me with the prayer you taught me written in the back. I say the prayer every night before I perform. I always feel so close to you with it. I need so much Sadie. Please fight and get well. Please." Mercedes closed her eyes as she pulled the photo from her pocket and began to pray. After a little while, she opened her eyes and watched her grandmother silently.

"Sadie, do you remember that first song you ever taught me? I sing it anytime I feel sad. Do you want me to sing it to you now?"

Nothing's impossible, I have found For when my chin is on the ground. I pick myself up, Dust myself off And start all over again. [Sam quietly opens the door of the room and stands in the back behind Mercedes]

Don't lose your confidence If you slip Be grateful for a pleasant trip And pick yourself up, Dust yourself off And start all over again.

[Sam begins to sing with her.] Work like a soul inspired Until the battle of the day is won. You may be sick and tired, But you'll be a man, my son.

[Mercedes smiles and sings the next verse.] Will you remember the famous men Who had to fall to rise again They picked themselves up Dust themselves off And start'd all over again.

[They sing together.] Work like a soul inspired Till the battle of the day is won. You may be sick and tired, But you'll be a man, my son.

Will you remember the famous men Who had to fall to rise again? So take a deep breath... Pick yourself up... Dust yourself off And start all over again.

Mercedes slowly rises and kisses her grandmother's forehead. She caresses her cheek and then walks toward the door. Sam follows behind her.

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After the hospital declared that visiting time was official over, Sam and Mercedes headed to the hotel. After checking into their suite, Sam watched as Mercedes curled up on the couch in front of the television. She was watching Doctor Who on the BBC. Sam microwaved some popcorn and cuddled next to her on the couch. Mercedes and Sam watched the program silently as they munched on the popcorn. They giggled and gasped throughout the show, as Mercedes lay on Sam's chest and Sam stroked her hair. He softly kissed the top of her head.

"Sam," Mercedes lifted her head up to Sam. "Thank you for being here with me." Sam smiled as he kissed her forehead.

"Thank you for letting me. Thank you for also letting me be here for you."

"What made you go into her room?"

"Your dad, actually. He said he wanted me to make sure you were ok. That was alright, wasn't it?"

"Oh, yes. Definitely. The flowers in the room were beautiful, weren't they?"

"I'm glad you liked them."

"You did that? I thought it was my dad. They were beautiful." Mercedes became quiet. "I never realized you had such a beautiful voice." Sam's face reddened.

"It's nothing in comparison to yours. It's funny, my mom use to sing that song to me all the time when I was little." Mercedes sat up quickly.

"Really? My Sadie taught me that song when I was little. It's one of the first songs I've ever learned." They both smiled shyly at each other.

"I've never had anyone do so much for me without me paying them for it." She answered glumly. Sam reached out and cupped her face.

"I want to be here for you, Mercedes. I just want to be with you." Mercedes smiled as tears fell from her eyes. Sam pulled her back into his chest. He rocked her gently, humming the song they sang earlier until she fell asleep.

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***Hey everyone! Two chapters in one week? What! But I felt inspired by some amazing fanfics I have been reading. Samcedes is strong out there, y'all. In this chapter, I wanted to show that the connection is about more than just physical attraction. There's a spiritual connections between these two. And we finally know who was in the photograph. I want to thank everyone for reviewing, favoriting and following! Please review and tell me what you think! Oh and the song is Pick Yourself Up, Nat King Cole. Tootles…***