Days later, it's now Friday.

The members of McKinley's glee club are going to perform 'Mash-ups' for this week's assignment. Following tradition within glee club, this assignment is also a 'Boys vs. Girls'-challenge.

All of the girls are in the ladies' restroom, putting on their performance attire, and doing their hair and make-up.

"Okay," Rachel said. "How do you all think I look?" She asked as she looked away from her reflection in the mirror and towards the other girls, displaying her outfit.

Brittany clapped excitedly. "OMG, Rachel! I had no idea that you were capable of wearing clothes that aren't like what you usually wear…well, without your head exploding or something. Deadly or not, I'm happy for you!" She said with a smile.

Rachel was silent for a moment. Eventually, she nodded her head. "…Thanks, Brittany." She turned back around and dropped her forced smile, replacing it with a look of confusion.

Quinn was putting lip-liner on Santana, after having just applied Santana's eye-shadow. "San, stop talking. If your lips keep moving, you might cause me to make a mistake."

Santana rolled her eyes. "My make-up already looks like a 'mistake,' Quinn. And, I swear, as hard as you're, supposedly, TRACING my lips, I wouldn't be surprised if the red that we're seeing is my blood. You better not have me looking crazy…Ouch!" She began waving her hands to the side of her lips, hoping that she would be able to stop the irritation she felt as Quinn continued to apply the product, heavily.

"Ugh, just shut up and stop whining. I'm almost done." Quinn said with a sigh.

Tina was putting on her heels.

"I hope that I can walk in these heels without falling down," Tina said.

Mercedes smiled as she adjusted Tina's headband. "You won't fall down. They don't look like they're difficult to walk in. In fact, especially compared to a lot of other types of heels, they look comfortable."

Tina smirked. "That's easy for you to say, Mercy. You like wearing shoes like these. I can wear shoes with smaller heels. I don't know if I can wear shoes with heels this tall."

"Try not to focus on the shoes," Mercedes said. "We'll only be performing for a short amount of time, anyway."

"Yeah," Tina agreed.

Everyone was ready. All of the young ladies stood in front of the mirrors, admiring their own reflections as well as looking around at the others.

"Besides," Tina began. "We look amazing! Even if I do fall down, with our songs and moves, not to mention our clothing, we'll have all of the boys right where we want them. They'll be too surprised by our performance and nervous about their own that they won't be able to focus on anything else." She said. "Not that our winning would depend upon them being distracted or anything."

"Exactly," Mercedes said.

Tina and Mercedes laughed.

"Well, it's not like we'd have to do much to get the guys' attention. One of US already has one of THEM eating out of the palm of her hand…And after that kiss of theirs, I'd say that it's obvious that he's even better with his mouth than anyone could have ever guessed." Santana said before she laughed.

Mercedes sighed jokingly with a smile.

"Ah, yes. Mercy and her new favorite member of our glee club," Tina giggled. "And, yes, yes I am going to continue discussing the subject of you and Sam. If you want me to stop talking about the two of you, stop being so cute," she said.

"I totally agree," Rachel said. "I think that you both complement each other well."

"I know that I'll regret this later, but, hey, whatever. Even though he and I don't get along, I think that you two make a good couple...I guess everyone deserves love, even a 'GUPPY!'" Santana said.

Mercedes shook her head. "I don't know which one of you is the most annoying." She laughed. Soon, Mercedes became aware of the fact that Brittany was standing beside her and staring at her. "Um, are you okay, Brittany?"

Brittany was in a trance as she lowered her head until she was at eye-level with Mercedes' lips. "Is it just me, or does Mercedes have lips like Sam?"

Mercedes closed her eyes and brought her hands up to cover them as she laughed.

"No wonder you like each other." Brittany said. "I bet the kissing is awesome between the two of you…Have you and Sam kissed since the duet, Mercedes?"

"Brittany!" Mercedes said.

"What?" Brittany asked seriously.

The other girls laughed.

Since everyone was ready, all of the girls took one last look into a mirror before they grabbed their backpacks and purses and headed for the door.

The leather-clad girls walked out of the restroom and began heading towards their own lockers to put away their belongings.

After Mercedes put away her backpack, she closed her locker door.

She and the other girls began walking towards the choir room, though she walked slower than everyone else as she thought about the lyrics for her solo part of their performance. She gently scratched the top of the black, jeweled cast cover on her injured arm.

Quinn slowed down as well, until she was walking alongside Mercedes. She looked at Mercedes' fashionable cast cover. "I like that. It's cute," she said, referring to the accessory.

Mercedes turned her head and smiled at the taller girl before she looked back down and at her cast cover. She looked at Quinn again before thanking her. "I figured I should be able to 'mix and match' with my cast the way I do with my clothing, since I was ordered to wear it for six weeks."

"That is a good idea," Quinn said. "I've never seen a cast as 'bad-ass' as that one."

Mercedes laughed.

"Good luck with your solo, Mercedes. I know that you'll be incredible." She said with a smile.

Mercedes looked at her and smiled back. "Thank you, Quinn," she said. For a moment, she was quiet as they continued walking. Eventually, she spoke again. "Actually, I wanted to speak with you about something."

Quinn nodded, understandingly.

"About Sam and I," Mercedes began. "I hope that you aren't upset about any of what's happened."

"No, no, of course not, Mercedes," Quinn said. "It's sweet of you to care. Sam and I broke up a while ago, and although things were weird between us for a while, everything is better now. He's a good guy and you're a great girl. I'm happy for you both." She said honestly.

Mercedes stopped walking. "We aren't a couple, though. That's why all of the rumors have been so annoying. Sure, we have kissed, but we're friends…I guess…" She was quiet, in thought. "…I don't know."

"It's obvious that you two like each other. You both know how the other feels about you, by now, right?" Quinn asked after she stood still and faced Mercedes.

Mercedes nodded. "Yes."

Quinn smiled. "Good. If Sam's been honest with you about the way he feels about you, trust me, it is only a matter of time before he does everything he can to make you his. Get used to your title as a 'couple,' Mercedes." She said before she linked arms with Mercedes.

Mercedes smiled as she and the rest of the girls continued walking towards the choir room.

The boys were in the choir room, discussing a few of the details regarding their upcoming performance.

"So, Joe, do you have our jackets for the performance?" Finn asked.

"Yeah, they're in my car, along with the ties." Joe said.

Finn smiled. "Okay. And since we're all dressed in our white shirts, black pants and black shoes, I guess we've got everything."

"Dude, duh. This performance has 'WIN' written all over it. We're going to win!" Puck said excitedly, causing most of the boys to clap their hands and chant the word "win!"

Sam wasn't so sure that the challenge was going to be as easy of a win as Puck and the others seemed to think. He held up his hands to get the guys' attention. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, you guys. Yeah, I'm sure that the performance will be great, but we don't know anything about the girls' performance. They could win…you never know." He said.

The other boys looked at him silently and with blank expressions before looking at each other. After a while, they all began to playfully 'boo' Sam and ruffle up his hair.

"Geez, Sam, I know that Mercedes is your girl now, but don't forget that we're your friends. And, regardless of your relationship, you two are on opposing sides for this challenge. Do not betray your team!" Mike said in a humorous tone.

Sam laughed.

Artie shook his head and and scowled at Sam, hilariously. "Damn, he's wrapped around her finger already. In a few weeks, he won't even remember who any of us are. Mercedes will be the ONLY person on his mind…Oh, wait, she already is!" He said with a chuckle.

Sam smiled and sighed. "Guys, I'm just telling you what I know. The girls are going to be awesome. We shouldn't underestimate them."

Everyone else remained quiet and folded their arms crossed their chests.

"And, technically, Mercedes and I are not a couple…yet." Sam said with a sexy grin. "But we will be, if I can do anything about it."

The guys nodded and smiled as they high-fived.

Mr. Schue entered the room. He walked towards the seats. "Hey, guys," he addressed the younger men.

The boys greeted him in return.

"I know that everyone is excited about today's performances." He said before he sat down in one of the chairs.

"Yes, sir!" Finn said eagerly. "Now, if only the girls would hurry up."

Mr. Schue laughed. "They're about to start." He said. "I spoke with them before practice, and I was informed that they plan on 'making an entrance.'"

The guys groaned.

Mr. Schue laughed again. He called out for the girls. "Okay, ladies." He nodded his head towards the band, signaling that they should begin playing the music.

The band began.

One by one, the girls entered the room.

Everyone:

"Start me up.

Start me up!"

The young ladies sang as Tina, Brittany, Santana and Quinn walked inside, sassily, followed by Mercedes. Rachel sang alone as she entered.

Rachel:

"Tommy used to work on the docks.

Union's been on strike. He's down on his luck.

It's tough, oh so tough."

They were sexy and strong with their movements.

Everyone:

"We gotta hold on, ready or not.

You live for the fight when that's all that you've got."

They made their way to the back of the room, to the 'stage' area.

Everyone:

"Start me up!

We're halfway there.

Oh, livin' on a prayer!"

Mercedes came to the bottom row, front and center. She and all of the other girls grabbed their microphone stands.

Mercedes:

"If you start me up-"

Everyone:

"-Uh!"

They sang with a kick!

Mercedes:

"…kick on the starter, give it all you got, you got, you got."

Sam could not stop staring and smiling at Mercedes.

Mercedes smiled as well before she began singing again.

Mercedes:

"I can't compete…with the riders in the other heat.

Yeah, yeah!"

Rachel and Mercedes:

"I'll make a grown man cry.

I'll make a grown man give it a shot."

Everyone:

"Start me up!

We're halfway there.

Oh, livin' on a prayer!"

Rachel:

"Livin' on a prayer!"

The girls stopped singing as the band continued playing.

They danced and moved around the room, interacting with band.

Soon, they began singing again.

Everyone:

"Oh, we gotta hold on, ready or not.

You live for the fight when that's all that you've got."

"Start me up!"/"Oh, we're halfway there."

"Oh, livin' on a prayer!

Take my hand.

We'll make it, I swear-"

Tina, Santana, Brittany, Quinn and Rachel:

"-Oh, livin' on a prayer!"

Mercedes:

"-we're almost there.

We're livin' on a prayer!"

They came towards their audience.

Everyone:

"Livin' on a prayer.

You gotta start me up!"

The song ended.

The guys clapped and complimented the girls, having loved their performance.

Mr. Schuester clapped as he stood up, before he approached all of the girls. "Ladies, that was excellent!" He said. "You all certainly are good at getting into character, not to mention how great your vocals were." Mr. Schue smiled.

"Thank you," The girls said together.

Mr. Schue addressed the boys. "So, guys, are you all ready to perform?"

"We sure are," they all answered before standing up.

As the rest of the boys headed for the door and the rest of the girls sat down in the boys' former seats, Sam and Mercedes smirked at one another.

"Do you think you guys can beat that, Mr. Evans?" Mercedes whispered in his ear.

"Well, I'm not sure. We will do our best, though, Ms. Jones." Sam whispered back, in her ear.

With smiles, she sat down as he left the room.

Minutes later, the guys were ready to start with their performance.

They stood on the 'stage' area, facing Mr. Schue and the girls.

The band began playing.

Everyone:

"Here we go!

Stop, in the name of love.

Before you break my heart,

think it over."

Artie came forward and moved across the room, in front of the guys as they danced behind him.

Artie:

"I wear tight clothing, high-heeled shoes!

It doesn't mean that I'm a prostitute, no, no, no."

Puck stood in front of the other boys, now, dancing.

Puck:

"I like rap music, wear hip-hop clothes!

That doesn't mean that I'm out selling dope, no, no, no."

Everyone:

"Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me."

"I said,

Stop, in the name of love!"

"Before you break my heart,

think it over."/"Free your mind,

and the rest will follow!"

"Think it over."/"Be color blind, don't be so shallow."

Sam began singing solo.

Sam:

"I've known of your,

your secluded nights."

He winked at Mercedes.

Mercedes smiled.

Sam:

"I've even seen her,

maybe once or twice.

But is her sweet expression

worth more than my love and affection?"

Everyone:

"Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me."

"I said,

Stop, in the name of love!"

"Before you break my heart,

think it over."/"Free your mind,

and the rest will follow!"

"Be color blind, don't be so shallow."

"Stop,"

Artie:

"…in the name of love."

Everyone:

"Free you mind.

Stop!"

Artie:

"Free your mind."

Everyone:

"Ah, ah, ah, ah.

"Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me."

"I said,

Stop, in the name of love!"

"Before you break my heart,

think it over."

"Free your mind!"/ "Stop, in the name of love!"

"Before you break my heart,

think it over!"

"Free your mind, and the rest will follow."/"Stop!"

The music and the singing stopped.

Mr. Schue and the girls applauded.

"Excellent, guys." Mr. Schue said. "I'm pleased with your vocals and ability to get into character as well."

They all thanked him with smiles.

Practice was over, so everyone stood up and gathered around Mr. Schue as he made his announcement.

"Okay, well, this competition was even more difficult to judge than I thought it would be…" Mr. Schue said.

The kids continued eagerly listening to their instructor.

"…And…" He said.

They continued listening.

"I've decided that it's a tie!"

The glee club members were shocked. "'TIE?'" They all asked.

Mr. Schue explained his decision. "Both teams were great in both similar and different ways. Your connection with your teammates, your voices and your choreography were great, but they were all different in comparison to the opposing team, and as I'm sure you all can understand, I don't think a person can judge which is better between two performances like these. All of you gave winning performances." He said with a smile.

The students smiled as well. Though not everyone was satisfied with Mr. Schuester's answer, they respected his opinion.

"Today's practice was great, everyone! Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you all on Monday."

As everyone began leaving the choir room, Sam and Mercedes remained standing where they were, listening to some of their fellow glee club members complain to Mr. Schue.

"Honestly, Mr. Schue, I can admit that the boys performed well. In fact, they were better than I thought they would be. Actually…a lot better," Rachel said. "Anyway, they weren't as good as us. Regardless of the fact that we were obviously allowed to change the songs in some ways, we required less change. Doesn't that count in our favor, Mr. Schue?" Rachel asked.

"That's because you ladies had songs of the same genre. We had 60s soul-pop and 90s R&B. You all had 80s rock. Besides, no one is claiming that all of us have a vocal range as wide as any of you. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Schue, but isn't that why performances are judged 'collectively,' not just on the basis of vocals, but the performance as a whole?" Kurt asked. "And, as a whole, we were as good as you."

Kurt sarcastically smiled as Rachel frowned.

Mr. Schue sighed as he and the others continued walking towards the door and exiting the room.

Sam and Mercedes chuckled.

"So, what did YOU think about our performance?" Sam asked.

"Not bad," Mercedes said. "…for losers!" She began laughing.

Sam playfully gasped and clutched his hands to his heart. "Oh, how you hurt me so badly," he said.

Mercedes laughed even harder. "Awww, I didn't mean to hurt you." She said as rubbed his cheeks with her hands and gave both a kiss. "Better?"

Sam smiled. "Oh, yeah," He said in a satisfied tone.

Mercedes smiled as well. "Good."

Sam grabbed her hands. "And I know of another way for you and I to make up and end this 'rivalry' when it comes to our teams."

Mercedes giggled. "And what way is that?" Mercedes asked.

"You honoring me with your presence tomorrow night," Sam said. "Mercedes Jones, will you go out on a date with me tomorrow night?"

Mercedes was speechless. She smiled. "Yes, I will, Sam Evans. Yes," she said.

Sam smiled as well.

They intertwined the fingers of one of each of their hands while letting go of the other as they began walking towards the door.

They retrieved their belongings before getting inside of Sam's car and heading to Mercedes' house.

A/N: Songs used in this chapter:

"Start Me Up/Livin' On A Prayer" by The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi (performed by the Cast of 'Glee')

"Stop! In the Name of Love/Free Your Mind" by The Supremes and En Vogue (performed by the Cast of 'Glee')