A/N: Thanks to all who were patient with this story. Work has been kicking my butt and with my midterms coming up I am literally a mess. I thank all the fantastic samcedes fanfic writers out there who keep me sane with their updates. Again I'm slowly getting my routine back and will probably make regular weekly updates. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 23:

"What the hell is this Sam?" Rachel barged in Sam's office throwing the paper on his table.

"What the fuck?" Sam grabbed the tabloid and started reading.

"I knew something like this will happen. Did you read the part where they said she's your recent flavor of the month and did you see what flavor they gave Mercedes?" Rachel ranted walking back and forth in Sam's office.

Sam's eyes bugged out in disbelief.

"Yes, they called her chunky chocolate!" Rachel obviously furious now.

"H... has Mercedes seen these?" Sam asked feeling concerned.

"Lucky for you Mercedes don't waste time on tabloids or newspapers unless someone shoves it to her face! Speaking of I have to call Kurt!" Rachel rushed out of Sam's office.

Sam rubbed his face in frustration.

"This cannot be fucking happening!" Sam thought to himself.

Sam grabbed his phone and started texting a message.

"Hello!" Kurt answered his phone.

"Kurt where's Cedes?" Rachel frantically asked.

"She's still asleep, came home just this morning. Is there something wrong Rachel?" Kurt asked.

"Might as well tell you, Sam and Mercedes are in today's tabloids!" Rachel explained.

"Oh my gosh, our Mercy, a celebrity!" Kurt squealed.

"Kurt you don't understand! They're saying stuff about her and it's not something you'd want Cedes to see. Just make sure she doesn't see any tabloid today. Trust me, the article is mean and hurtful."

"Just as well that it's her off day at the restaurant, but she has a gig tonight and I can't go watch her, we have a deadline at work so I'm doing overtime!"

"I can't watch her either, Sam has a dinner meeting and I need to attend as well. Do you know anyone she knows that's going?" Rachel asked.

"Not really but I can ask her work friends! I'll call you back if I find out anything!" Kurt quickly ended Rachel's call and dialed Blaine's number.

"Oh my god have you seen this?" Lauren went straight to Santana and Tina to show them today's tabloids.

Santana and Tina were already fixing tables when Lauren handed them the newspaper.

"Fucking paparazzi, why don't they get their facts first?" Santana spat disbelieving the lies she is reading.

"I hope Cedes' ok. On the upside they do make a cute couple! Her picture is not that bad." Tina smiled.

"Tina, In this case the pictures don't matter! Have you read the caption? Gold-digging hoe! How can they print this garbage!" Santana threw the paper away.

"Hey I haven't finished reading that!" Lauren protested.

"Leave it Zizes!" Santana glared at Lauren as she made her way to pick-up the paper.

"Girls who's going to Mercy's gig tonight?" Blaine rushed out of his office and walked over to the holy trinity.

"We can't! Dinner meeting at the VIP room you asked me and Tina to be the servers." Santana explained.

"I wasn't planning to go, but since Puck and I had a fight last night I don't think I want to see him here tonight! I will leave earlier than my shift if that's ok?" Lauren waited for Blaine's reply.

"Oh gosh, you can't Lauren! I forgot to tell you that there's a small banquet tonight and we're short on servers. I need to call Kurt! Thanks anyways girls."

"I can go." Blaine turned around to see who spoke.

"My shift ends at 8 so I can go to Cedes' gig, just tell me where to go." Finn explained.

"You are a lifesaver Finn! Come with me, we need to ask Kurt for the details!" Blaine rushed back to his office with Finn right behind him.

"What do you know, BFG has a use after all." Santana smiled.

Mercedes walked out of her room rubbing sleep from her eyes. Kurt's eyes followed her as she went over to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

"What?" Mercedes stared at Kurt.

"Oh nothing." Kurt mumbled and picked up his mug to take a sip.

"Spill it! I know there's something you're itching to say." Mercedes took a bowl out from the cupboard and a spoon from the drawer.

"You got home pretty "early"!" Kurt made the quotation mark gesture as he said the word early.

Kurt had to think of something else to say so that he wouldn't go spilling to her that she's in the tabloids today.

"Sam and I had a talk last night. We needed to figure out what happened last Monday." Mercedes explained as she poured cereal and milk in her bowl.

"So did you two figure it out?" Kurt tried to hide the smile that's twitching on his lips.

From the anger in Rachel's voice Kurt has imagined that the pictures of Sam and Mercedes in the tabloid must be scandalous.

"Hmmm… in a way I guess, but thinking about it now I still don't know! Maybe I should just stop thinking about it and just see what happens." Mercedes froze for a second to think and continued eating her breakfast.

"As long as you're happy, I am happy for you!" Kurt smiled and squeezed Mercedes' free hand.

"Thanks Kurt!" Mercedes put down her spoon and placed her other hand on top of Kurt's hand.

"Now tell me, what's really on your mind?" Mercedes gave Kurt a mischievous grin.

Kurt was caught off guard, it was as if she knew but how could she when he hasn't told her anything.

"Unless…" Kurt thought to himself.

Kurt stood and put a good distance between Mercedes and himself in case of any backlash from his friend.

"Mercy, Rachel called me this morning and said that you and Sam are on the tabloid and their saying nasty things about you and even called you chunky chocolate and that you're a gold-digging hoe!" Kurt spoke as fast as he could as if saying it that way would make him feel less guilty for breaking the news.

Mercedes shrugged and continued eating.

"Girl, were you even listening to what I just said?" Kurt feeling frustrated that Mercedes doesn't realize the magnitude of what he just blurted.

"I hear yah! Sam already messaged me about it." Kurt looked at Mercedes bewildered.

"And?" Kurt waited for more but nothing came.

"And I'm ok about it!"

"What? How can you be ok about people writing fucking lies about you and all those nasty shit? Well I haven't seen it but from what I imagined based on Rachel's reaction it must be scandalous!"

"I just don't. If I do then I'd be starving myself or bleaching my skin in the hope of becoming lighter, but I'm not doing any of those because I love myself and if they have a problem with it then that's just it, it's their problem!" Kurt sat back down and smiled at his friend.

"Has anyone told you you're amazing?" Kurt hugged Mercedes.

"You know damn right I'm amazing!" Mercedes laughed.

"Oh! We need to call Rachel, she's going bonkers over this tabloid thing and I need to let Blaine know you already know!" Kurt took out his phone and started typing a message.

"Tell them thanks for the concern but I am a big girl and I can handle it so no need to tiptoe around me, Ok?" Mercedes raised a brow as she pointed her spoon at Kurt.

"Ok, got it!" Kurt and Mercedes laughed.

"I can't believe you would go behind my back and just tell Mercedes!" Rachel walked back in Sam's office.

"I don't want to hide things from her! I told you I won't let anyone hurt her. I won't give them the satisfaction!" Sam confessed which made Rachel smile but she tried to hide it.

"Well being as that may, I can't believe Cedes is taking it really well. Kurt told me that she's not affected by it at all!" Rachel sat down and looked at Sam smiling.

"She's definitely something else!" Sam went back to the documents in front of him still with a smile plastered on his face.

"I better get back to work as well. The car will be here at 6pm to bring us to the restaurant." Rachel reminded Sam as she went back to her desk.

Chapter 24:

"Here's all the information you asked for." The man handed Quinn a brown envelop.

"I had the money wired to the usual account." Quinn responded.

"Is there anything else you need?"

"Not at this moment, but I'd gladly pay for any useful information you can give me." Quinn looked at the man to stress her point.

"I'll get in touch soon." The man smiled as he left Quinn alone in her office.

Quinn stared at the envelop for what seemed like hours when in actual fact it has only been seconds. She can't help but feel that somehow opening the envelop means there's no turning back. Quinn finally took the envelop and held it close to her chest trying to calm her raging heart. She slowly tore the envelop flap and took out its contents. She read the information and a mischievous grin spread on her face.

"I'm off to work! I'll be home late; that's if I can go home at all, anyway break a leg on your gig tonight. I know you'll blow them away with your ah-may-zing voice!" Kurt stood up from their dining table and blew air kisses to Mercedes before leaving.

Mercedes finished her cereals and washed up the dishes in the sink. She then made her way back to her room to get ready. Today is her off day at work seeing as she has a gig that night, but the day's events left her restless and wanting some time with friends. Mercedes took a shower and quickly got dressed to go see her friends at the restaurant.

"What are you doing here?" Santana rushed to Mercedes as soon as she walked in.

"Good morning to you too!" Mercedes flashed a smile to Santana.

"You know what I meant; it's your off day at the restaurant so what brings you here?" Santana trying to act normal not wanting to spill anything about the tabloid article.

"Stop the act girls, I know about it and I want to see it for myself!" Mercedes put a hand on her hip and raised a brow at Santana before looking at Tina and Lauren.

"Hand it over Lauren! I know this kind of thing will not get pass you!" Mercedes reached out with her other hand waiting for Lauren to hand her the paper.

Lauren reached down to the seat where she threw the paper as soon as they saw Mercedes and handed it over. Mercedes started reading the texts on the front page before flipping to the page that was indicated for the full story. Mercedes read through the article with a blank expression.

"Now Cedes, we know not everyone believes this garbage and those who do are just fools with nothing better to do with their lives. " Tina went over to Mercedes and placed an arm over her shoulder.

"Yeah girl don't pay no mind to the trash they say in there, they don't know you so that's all bull crap!" Lauren added.

"Cedes are you alright? It might sting a bit but those people are all ignorant so they don't deserve your time at all." Mercedes smiled and looked at her friends.

"Well if it's any consolation, I look good in these pictures!" Mercedes laughed and the three looked at her as if she was crazy.

"I can't believe we've been trying to be supportive here and there you are just thinking how you look good in those pictures!" Tina sassed trying to sound somewhat disappointed.

"Oh come on Tina, this is really funny stuff! I like how creative they are, I was really dreading seeing a really horrible picture of me next to a Greek god . Now that would have been traumatic! But I look like me in these pictures; I'm actually smiling in most of it so if they hate me then it's no skin off my nose." Mercedes folded the paper and handed it back to Lauren.

"I still think it's a waste of good money to be buying those stuff, but heck whatever soothes you Lauren!" Mercedes winked at Lauren.

Santana went over to Mercedes and hugged her tight before clapping her hands.

"You know what Cedes? You're definitely made for stardom! Well played my friend, I am so proud of you I guess you are made of tougher stuff than I initially thought." Tina and Lauren joined while Mercedes mocked a curtsey.

"As much as I would love to hang out here with you guys I have some errands to attend to. Thanks for the down low, you girls are the best by far. I'll see you guys later after the gig, right?" Mercedes went to hug each girl.

"About that Cedes, yeah we'll see you but we sort of kinda ask Finn to watch out for you. You know we weren't sure how you'd handle the whole tabloid thing so we wanted someone to keep an eye on you. Just wanted it out so that you won't be surprised if you see him there tonight. " Tina explained.

"Well I don't mind hanging out with Finn, but you guys should have just told me instead of sheltering me. Although I act like a diva, I'm not one… yet, so you won't see me throwing diva fits anytime soon!" Mercedes laughed.

"You know BFG gots it bad for you Cedes. Just make sure he understands that!" Santana raised a brow at Mercedes to get her point across.

"Santana Marie Ysabelle Lopez!" Mercedes looked at her friend with one hand on her hip.

"Ok! Finn, satisfied now?" Santana replied.

"That's a different point! I just want you to stop will all the Finn hate. What's wrong with Finn anyway?" Mercedes waited for a reaction.

"Uhmmm… besides he's freakishly tall and could be mistaken for Frankenstein's brother? Let me see… hmmm maybe the fact that he just drools over you, or that dumbass look he gets when you're talking to him. Oh no wait I think it's just the fact that he has no game at all. Girl you can do so much better, and I mean Sam better!" Santana smirked.

"I'm not gonna validate your statement by replying to that! All I'm going to say is that I like Finn, he's always nice to me and I do have a good time when he's around. And with that I'll leave you to your thoughts, I'll see y'all later!" Mercedes smiled and left the three girls.

"Sam, the town car is already downstairs; we're leaving in 10 minutes." Rachel popped in Sam's office.

"Thanks Rachel, just need to make a quick phone call but I'm ready!" Sam smiled at his assistant.

Sam picked up his phone and pressed speed dial. The other line rang and he waited for the person to pick up.

"Hello!" Sam smiled as soon as she answered.

Mercedes as usual was frantically getting all her stuff ready for her gig later tonight. Her phone rang which shook her out of her panic and smiled as she saw the name flashed across the screen.

"Hello Kurt!" Mercedes answered.

"Hey Cedes! I just wanted to tell you again to break a leg for tonight, I really wish I could watch you but this damn deadline is really kicking my butt." Kurt pouted on the other line and Mercedes could tell.

"Awww poor Kurtie. I understand and just do your best, I'm sure that's all they ask from you! You are one talented person and they know it so relax you got this!" Mercedes encouraged her friend.

"Thanks girl I needed that, but I still can't help but feel unappreciated her at work. You know I've worked hard started from the bottom and finally becoming associate editor for over a year now. Still I do all the work and others get credit for it."

"Well you are great at what you do; we just need to be more patient. Our time will come and we'll reap all the success. So I suggest you get back to work and I'll talk to you later, love you!" Kurt smiled.

"Love you too Cedes!" Kurt pressed end and went back to his layout.

Puck was first at the restaurant and scanned the place trying to look for someone. Lauren just got out from the kitchen carrying a tray and quickly went back inside when she saw him standing at the bar area.

"Lauren what the fuck?" Santana yelled when Lauren almost knocked the tray she was holding.

"Puck's outside!" Lauren trying to look through the small window.

"Ah yeah they have a meeting here remember?" Santana getting quite annoyed now.

"I know but he's just standing there how come he's not going in to the VIP room?"

"I don't have time for this, move now!" Lauren moved and Santana walked out the kitchen.

Puck spotted Santana as she handed out the orders at her table. On her way back to the kitchen she felt a hand grabbed her arm. She quickly turned around and saw Puck smiling at her. Against her better judgment she led Puck at the back away from the kitchen so Lauren can finally get out.

"What do you want Puckerman?" Santana sassed.

"Uhmm… you don't happen to know where Lauren is, do you?" Puck managed to ask as he rubbed his neck.

"What is wrong with you two? What did you do?" Santana crossed her arms as she waited for Pucks reply.

"Nothing! I just wanted to ask her something!" Puck raised his arms to show he comes in peace.

"Lauren would not be avoiding you if you didn't do anything! There must be something you've done. Did you cheat on my girl?" Santana moved closer to Puck to intimidate him.

"No! I would never do that to her. Did she tell you she was avoiding me? I… I sort of asked her to marry me last night when we were… you know… in the middle of it!" Puck looked down trying to hide his embarrassment.

"So you want to talk to Lauren to tell her you didn't mean it?"

"Not really, I meant it but I also know it's too soon! I just want to let her know that I'm willing to wait." Santana whacked Puck across the head.

"Ow! What was that for?" Puck rubbed the sore spot.

"That's for being an idiot! Why couldn't you ask for something small first like meeting your parents, heck even asking her to move in with you is better than the bombshell you just released on her!"

"I know and she has been distant since last night. I need to talk to her Santana, please help me." Puck begged.

"You are lucky that I think the two of you belong together. Ok I'll help you, but if you blew this don't come asking twice!"

"Thanks I'll owe you!"

"Oh you bet you will! Just go to the VIP room and I'll send Lauren there." Puck smiled and quickly left Santana.

Chapter 25:

"Ms. Winters, Ms. Fabray is here to see you." The assistant announced through the intercom.

"Let her in."

Leila Winters is the Editor in Chief of Avant-Garde fashion magazine and a close friend of Quinn Fabray.

"Quinn! So to what do I owe this visit?" Leila stood and walked from behind her desk to greet Quinn, soon after motioning for them to sit in the chic Victorian chaise in her office.

"I just wanted to see how you are doing. We haven't seen each other for a while and I thought we needed to catch up!" Quinn placed her hand on top of Leila's.

"You know I have time for always, all you needed to do was get your assistant to let my assistant know when you are available." The pair laughed and Quinn suddenly went quiet.

"To be honest this is not entirely a social call. I just found some disturbing information and I battled with myself if I should let you know. But being my friend first my loyalty is always with you." Quinn squeezed her friend's hands and looked in to her eyes.

"What is it Quinn? You know you can tell me anything." Leila pleaded with her eyes for Quinn to tell her.

"I heard that one of your associate editors is currently dealing with Evans publishing. He may be leaking some ideas to them and being a rival publishing I think this is unethical." Leila looked frozen from what she just heard. A traitor among them and the magazine's drop in sales are slowly swirling in her head.

"Lei, are you ok? I know I'm engaged to Sam Evans but I just couldn't leave you in the shadows. I hope you don't hate me?" Leila shook out of her daze and looked at her friend.

"You're engaged? That's wonderful, and I don't hate you. In fact I love you more for being a great friend. I can't thank you enough!" Leila hugged her friend.

"I just hope that Kurt Hummel person gets what he deserves!" Quinn interjected.

"Wait, Kurt Hummel? He's my best associate editor; I'm actually planning on promoting him to managing editor for next month's issue." Leila asked confused.

"Well I guess it shows you can never trust anyone in this industry. People are greedy Lei, I heard him demanding more money before releasing vital company information. Evans publishing refused of course but I don't know what other publishing company he approached. You need to get the weeds out before it consumes the magazine." Quinn patted her friend's hand.

"You are right Quinn, but I just can't imagine Kurt doing this to me, to the magazine! I've totally been blinded by his enthusiasm." Leila felt defeated but tried to smile at Quinn.

"I know you've worked hard on your magazine Lei and I'd hate for you lose it. What would you say to an exclusive interview for your next issue? We will be announcing our engagement next month and your magazine will be the only one I'll give an interview." Quinn smiled brightly.

"That would be great Quinn and I'm sure the sales will sky rocket with that exclusive. You are definitely god send to me!" Leila hugged her friend tight as the feeling of betrayal slowly replaced by pure joy.

"Tell your assistant to make an appointment with my assistant and I'll see then!" Quinn stood and so did Leila.

"Thanks again Quinn, you don't know how much I appreciate this!" Quinn waved it off and hugged her friend smirking at the job well done.

"I better leave you so you can get back to work. I have some errands to attend too as well. We need to have coffee sometime, ciao Lei." Quinn blew air kisses at her friend as she walked out of Leila's office.

"Abby, I need you to write a memo A.S.A.P. and call security after." Leila said through the intercom.

Abby entered the office with a pad and pen ready to take down the memo. As Leila dictated the memo, Abby's eyes went wide in disbelief and stopped writing.

"Abby! Snap out of it, I know I couldn't believe it myself but this was inside information and I trust my resource as much as I trust my own family. So where were we?"

"Uhmmm… I stopped writing after; due to the confidentiality violation." Abby stated.

Leila continued and soon Abby was typing the memo and called security to meet her at Kurt Hummel's desk in 10 minutes. Abby rushed to get the memo printed and went in to Leila's office to have it checked and signed. Abby anxiously made her way to Kurt's cube and saw that the security personnel was already making his way towards Kurt's desk. Abby rushed to overtake the security personnel to get to Kurt first.

"Abby, I'm too busy if you need help please find someone else." Kurt looked at Abby and then the security personnel with her curiously.

"I'm sorry Kurt but we have to ask you to leave." Abby sadly handed the memo to Kurt, which he quickly read.

"What does this mean? I haven't done anything wrong!" Kurt pleaded to Abby trying to make sense of what's happening.

"You were seen with the President of Evans publishing and a reliable resource confirms that you have been leaking company information. I'm really sorry Kurt but you no longer work for Avant-Garde. The security personnel will watch you gather your personal belongings and will escort you out. I suggest you do it quickly and don't try to access your computer or voicemail since your access is already revoked." Abby left a stunned Kurt with tears slowly running down his cheeks.

Kurt stood outside his office building carrying a box still trying to understand what just happened. He loved his work; even if he feels unappreciated, he loves the magazine and would never do anything to jeopardize it. He would occasionally talk to Mercedes about some things about the company or their planned features but Mercedes would never do that to him. He can't really prove that he is innocent, but he knew his conscience is clean and whatever they accused him of is definitely out of line. Kurt hailed a cab not wanting to take his usual route home. As soon as he got in to their apartment he walked straight to his room and slumped on his bed letting the tears fall again.

"Lauren could you check the VIP room that everything is already set before they get here." Santana asked Lauren.

"Can't Tina do it? Puck might be there already." Lauren begged.

"What's up with you and Puck? Did you two have a fight or something?" Tina looked at Lauren.

"Not exactly, I'm just not ready to talk to him." Lauren looked at her feet.

"Girl I've never seen you run away from confrontation before. This must be really bad!" Santana trying to mask that she already knew what this was all about.

"Yeah Lauren what did Puck do to make you hide from him? He didn't ask you marry him did he?" Tina laughed but Lauren looked at her in shock disbelief.

"Shit! He asked you to marry him?" Tina trying to confirm and Lauren nodded.

"Wow he's fast I give him that! I actually thought he just asked you to move in with him, because that is also moving too fast as well." Tina shrugged.

"We'll talk about this later when we meet up with Cedes. For now we have work and Lauren please go check the VIP room. I think Puck's still at the bar, I'll go over there now and delay him. Tina could you please check the wine list they sent and get it out from the cellar to put it in the chiller. They'll be here in soon so chop-chop!" Santana ushered Lauren before her and Tina made her way to the wine cellar of the restaurant.

Lauren walked in the VIP room and tried to get out as soon as she saw Puck standing facing the door. Puck was quick and grabbed hold of her hand and led her to the chair.

"Baby we need to talk!" Puck pleaded.

"Not now Puck, I'm working!" Lauren glared at Puck and tried to stand up but Puck placed his hands on her shoulder.

"I want to explain what happened last night. Please just listen." Lauren didn't move and Puck took it as a sign that she is willing to listen.

"I meant what I said last night. I want to marry you, but I want it when you are ready. I know it's too soon but when you know it's right you can't help but want things to start as soon as possible. I am a lot of things and I was the guy who taunted my friends for getting into relationships or getting married. Heck they've even made a game out of it trying to match me with all kinds of girls just to see if I would fall for any of them. I didn't, that is until I met you!" Puck took Lauren's hands and held it while he looked deep in her eyes.

Lauren's walls began to crumble and her face softened as Puck looked into her eyes.

"I know I said I love you too fast too soon, but you have to know that I am willing to wait. Just tell me what I need to do and I will do it just as long as you don't tell me to give you space or time alone. Lauren Zizes you are for me and baby you'll soon learn that I am it for you." Lauren was smiling hard as Puck said those words to her and soon she was kissing him senseless.

Artie stood at the doorway watching as Puck professed his feelings for Lauren. He clapped as the couple kissed and mockingly wiped a tear as they both turned to face him.

"How long have you been standing there?" Puck glared at Artie.

"Long enough to want to have your babies after that speech!" Artie kidded.

Lauren felt heat rise up to her face and quickly turned red from embarrassment.

"Sorry Lauren didn't mean to make you embarrass. I am happy that my friend here finally found the one, but you can't change old habits just like that, we make fun of each other and that will never change. I love you though so give me a hug sugar!" Artie hugged Lauren and Puck tried to pull them apart.

"Hey, don't smother my woman!" Puck protested.

"Excuse me! When did I agree to be your woman?" Lauren sassed.

"I just thought…" Puck was interrupted by Lauren and Artie's laughter.

"And that's how you hand him his ass!" Lauren high-fived Artie before leaving.

"I am happy for you Bro. Lauren is great!" Artie hugged his friend.

"Thanks man! I guess Mike and Brittany will get free drinks at the club for life." Puck and Artie laughed as they fist bumped.