A PLACE TO HIDE

"Wonder-ful" hands down is my favorite episode this season! I guess it is because Mercedes actually had more than two lines and sang more than thirty seconds. And had an actual storyline! Spoiler alert – Sam did not have amnesia from hitting his head in the pool or maybe he regained his memory after Blaine accidently hit him with the locker. No matter what happened Sam remembered Mercedes this week. :0 Love ya, LudaNeet

Sam inspected his hair in the mirror visor of his truck. Mercedes had finally agreed to have lunch with him after he had practically blew up her phone with calls.

"Okay get it together." Sam mentally gave himself a pep talk before hoping out of his truck. He had no clue what he was trying to accomplish, he hadn't thought it all the way out.

"Hello Samuel, nice to see you." Mrs. Jones answered the door. She was the only person he knew that called him Samuel at all times. The only time his own mom called him Samuel was when he was in trouble and if it was followed by his middle and last name it was time to hide.

"Hello Mrs. Jones, how have you been?" Sam greeted her with his signature smile.

"I am doing great. I understand you will be graduating this year, how exciting! I know your parents must be excited too! I would love to have you and your family over for dinner while they are in town. "Mrs. Jones smiled.

"I'm sure they would love that. Is Mercedes around? I came by to say goodbye to Mercedes before she heads back. We really miss her in Glee." Sam liked Mrs. Jones yet sometimes she could get chatty.

"Lady Bug, is upstairs, "Mrs. Jones phone beeped, "Oh look at the time. I would love to find about your future plans but I must really go."

"Nice talking to you." Sam watched her glide out the door.

Sam looked around the familiar home. The house looked the exact same, looking like it was the model of a Pottery Barn catalog. The place Mercedes forced him to bring Stacy and Stevie over for dinner on his nights to babysit.

"Pizza is not a home cooked meal." She would point out.

The house looked the same it just didn't feel the same. The comfortable feeling he had adapted to the point he would raid the fridge for snacks was gone replaced with the feeling of being an intruder.

Sam walked to Mercedes room with caution knocking on her door scared karma would laugh at him by making him witnessing Mercedes with that Matt guy.

"Hold on one second." Mercedes voice carried through her closed door.

"I can come back later." Sam offered. Mercedes jerked open her door.

"I thought you had so much that you needed to tell me." Mercedes shook her head in frustration. Sam watched how the curls from her hairstyle shook themselves free from the tightness of the curls.

"You seem busy?" Sam studied his shoes.

"If I was I would of told you when you texted me this morning. Come on I am starved. Where should we go for lunch?" Packing for her trip back she had skipped breakfast. She was unaware of how many things she had accumulated during her visit. She had picked up a couple of items for the apartment, a few things for Puck from his mom and a souvenir that she thought he would like.

Sam mentally calculated how much spare money he had. He planned to pay for lunch, she didn't know it yet or she might try going Dutch.

"Does Cali have a Breadsticks?" Sam suggested. Breadsticks was private enough to talk and the prices were reasonable. He wished he was able to afford to take her somewhere exquisite.

"That does sound good." She gave him a very tiny smile. He had missed her smile. That and a whole list of other things he tried to block out of his memory.

"Let's go." Mercedes closed her door. Sam sneaked a peek before the door was shut close. The room was still plastered with her music idols and stuffed animals. Sam blushed with memories of the things they did in that room. Her poor stuffed animals were witnesses to some things in there.

...

Sam sat across from Mercedes sipping on some tasteless tea in the booth of Breadsticks.

"How is school?" Sam tried to keep his eyes off her lips. She was too close, her scent was causing his mind to flood with too many memories he had spent all summer to lock away.

"School is great. How is school for you?" Mercedes had a feeling this conversation was going to drag on for days.

"School is the same old same old. What classes are you taking?" Sam attempted to delay the real conversation.

"School is great, I'm great, and my family is great. Let us cut through the bullshit. What do you want to talk about?" Mercedes demanded. Sam's ear lobes blushed a bright pink. She hadn't planned on being short with him just the mire thought of his crazy antics at the reception, she couldn't help it.

"Lady Bug, I wanted to thank you for being part of the video Blaine put together. I appreciated everyone being on there Santana included but it meant a lot to me you took the time to be on there even after I have been a donkey's ass towards you. Thanks I didn't deserve it. I keep messing up the good things in my life." Sam mumbled.

"You're welcome. I meant every word I said. I even meant it when I said I think Brittany and you make a lovely couple. Sam, I'm not mad at you. I'm not even mad about yesterday's events. Disappointed but not mad. "Mercedes poured ranch dressing on her garden salad.

"Oh and Sam stay in your lane! You know only my parents can get away with Lady Bug." Mercedes added.

"Mercury, I wanted to tell you why I have been acting like I have. I know we had talked about Puck prior before you moving out there. It was not a big deal about Puck at first. Then I allowed my mind to wander about late nights, friendly conversations ending up in your bed. I honestly got scared. I had never meant to chase you off. "Sam sighed.

"Why couldn't you say that? I would have respected that instead of your I, Tarzan you, Jane routine. I am my mother's child and you know I don't respond well to that shit." Mercedes said.

"I was going to talking you at first. Then I found it was easier to say goodbye to you if I could hold on to my anger. I couldn't say goodbye. I had to say goodbye to more than I was willing to. Mike my best friend was leaving, I was going to be staying at the Hummel-Hudson house by myself. It was one thing with Kurt and Finn there but damn, I started to feel like a stowaway. I know I said I would be okay; I didn't want you to worry about me. I have a problem letting go after my parents lost the house. I was hordering food in my room." Sam hadn't admitted that to no one.

"I know. I never knew how to bring it up." Mercedes mom was a social worker; she had explained some of the different ways kids or people in general dealt with loss.

"After we lost everything I felt like I had to fight hard to keep the things we did have. I felt like at any moment I could lose everything again. Why I kept the food in my room was a mystery to me."

"I can't say I understand how scary it is to go from having a home one day to be homeless the next."

"My parents don't know but before I was outed by Rachel and you guys started helping with babysitting and dinner dates. I would give Stevie and Stacy my portion of the food if they were hungry," Sam didn't dare to look at her. He hadn't planned to come off as a charity case. He was tired of hiding everything from her. She had been more than his girlfriend; she had been his best friend.

"You were being a good big brother nothing to be ashamed of going to bed hungry for your siblings. Why didn't you tell me this have I ever once judged you on anything you told me? I mean you told me something's about Glitter Kitty."

"Stripping was embarrassing but I was providing for my family. I felt like a failure when I gave them my food because half the time it really didn't stop the hunger pains.'

"Sam, I have a question for you. Did you think your dad was a failure when your family lost the house?"

"My father was my first Superhero. Dwight Evans could defeat Superman, Spiderman and Batman if he chose to. Even after you learn your parents are human there is a small piece of you that still feels like they are invincible and know more than the encyclopedia. All that was crushed for me but no I never felt like he was a failure." Sam thought of his strong southern born dad. He looked and acted like he could have been Bo Dukes from the "Dukes of Hazards"

"Then how could you ever see yourself as a failure. Your father could have given up at any moment instead he chose to fight for his family. Look at your family now. A gorgeous house and did I hear right Stevie has a new lab named Sneakers." Mercedes smiled.

'How did you know about Sneakers?" Sam looked at her amazed.

"Well if somebody would have remained my friend instead of kicking me to the curb, they would have known that the twins write me once a month and I write them back."

"Why didn't they say something to me?" Sam wondered. He reflected back on the last couple visit home.

"I don't know. My point is you have nothing to feel ashamed of and you are the twins Superhero trust me."

"I don't get it Mercury; you are amazing; taking the time to write my brother and sister. That's why I couldn't handle being your friend. I am always going to want more if you are in my life. I can't help it." Sam ached to kiss her, feel her.

"See I don't get that. If you have always been attracted to Brittany and that's why Santana was so hard on you right? Why did you make a scene with me? You didn't care how big or bad my boyfriend was, then Santana's petite and sarcastic ass should have been a cinch." Mercedes snarled.

"I knew that would get back to you." Sam paused he didn't know how to approach this one. The truth was that night when he kissed Brittany while playing spin the bottle drunk at Rachel's, he did want more from Britt physically at least. She was sweet but she wasn't really his type at first. All thoughts of Britt was forgotten the first time he kissed Mercedes in New York. Santana and Quinn were also forgotten. Mercedes lips were the only lips that could challenge his oversized mouth.

The day he told Britt about always being attracted to her a tiny piece of him hoped it would get back to Mercedes as assurance that they could never be friends again; a way to protect his heart.

"What you said was I always been attracted to you to Britt. What I heard was Mercedes, every time I was with you, every time I kissed you I was wishing I was with Brittany. Sam, I am not some insecure brat but damn baby boy I am human. What if I told Puck I had always been attracted to him?" Mercedes questioned Sam.

"I have no excuse for what I said. Trust me not once did I ever wish to be with Brittany or any other girl for that matter when I was with you and that does include Zoe Saldana." Zoe Saldana became his celebrity crush after her performance as Neytiri in "Avatar"

"Okay don't oversell it, Evans." Mercedes smiled.

"Remember the time we got the blue body paint?"

Mercedes whole face turned a glowing red. The body paint had been her idea. She felt like they looked like the Smurfs', Sam on the other hand enjoyed it. She had been rewarded with the look of awe; maybe it was the look Tina had spoken of. She had washed blue paint off of her for the next two weeks afterwards but it had been worth it.

"There is no other girl I feel comfortable sharing my whole dorky side to. I always felt like I could be completely myself with you. I don't know any other girl who proves how much they love me by not only doing things I like but suggesting things they think I will like. The night was damn." Sam reminisced how Mercedes blue bare skin felt against his. The way her brown nipples poked through the blue paint. She had braided her hair in one big braid. She had been the sexist blue person he had seen! Baby had blue back!

"What do you want from me now? I get what you saying about it was easier to push me away then trying to maintain a strained friendship. I don't get what you want from me now? Nothing has changed. That and I heard about your sing off with Santana for Britt's heart. Sam, you hurt me. I thought the whole Puck issue was going to blow over quickly. I called you afterwards to talk it through witht you because when I weighed everything I felt like our friendship was worth fighting for. I called you a couple of times. I cried my whole flight to Cali cuz my best friend was having a bitch fit and refused to come say goodbye to me." Mercedes admitted.

"I was wrong."

"Wrong? What was wrong was the way you looked at me when I came back to visit. You looked at me as if you met me for the first time like the newcomers to New Direction. I think I got a warmer greeting from that Kitty girl then you and she hates me."

"Honestly, I'm still scared to be friends with you now! I know how much I fucked up when I saw you with that Matt dude."

"The Matt dude made you realize it or was it when I caught Britt and you in the bathroom?"

"Both." Sam looked at his pasta penne.

"I appreciate your honesty. I needed to hear your reasons for acting like a five year old having a tantrum. I have a question if you don't mind. Why Britt? I mean not trying to be funny. Quinn, Santana and I have been described as strong willed personalities." Mercedes blushed describing herself as such.

"Brittany is sweet and trusting. She was heartbroken after Santana left. We got each other." Sam said.

"Wow; Sammy, really?" Realization washed over Mercedes face.

"Really what?" Sam looked confused; what had he said?

"The thing with wounded birds is you can only get two different outcomes. One they heal and fly away or two they will never heal*" Mercedes said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sam angrily asked?

"I am saying you like Britt because you think she needs you and as long as she needs you then she won't leave you. Yea, don't think I don't know about that fake wedding of yours. Tina is my best friend and E! News doesn't have anything on her. Shit, Google, Twitter or Facebook can't compare to Tina Chang. I trust her info more too."

"I never thought about it like that," Sam thought about Britt's mini breakdown. That was when he decided he had to be her boyfriend. Mercedes might have had a point. Taking care of Britt was the welcoming distraction he needed from thinking about Mercedes.

"Well if it you have a lot to think about cause you will be graduating soon. Where will that leave you two? I don't recommend your hair pulling theory that you used on me. Britt is a little…"Mercedes searched for the proper word to describe Britt, "Fragile?"

"Mercedes, can we work on repairing our friendship if I promise to come and talk to you when I get scared regarding our friendship." Sam hopefully asked?

"Samuel Evans, I can't promise you too much but I might be willing to give it a chance." Mercedes agreed.

"Now that we are friends again, are you going to date that Matt dude?" Sam asked innocently.

"Too soon Evans, too soon." Mercedes laughed.

…

"How was the wedding Sexy Mama?" Puck asked flopping on the couch.

Mercedes flipped off her heels. She sank into the couch next to him. The flight home had been crowded and with her luck she was sitting next to a new mother of a three week old that 's appetite was bigger than the milk supply packed.

"The wedding that never happened had an interesting reception." Mercedes pulled her hair in a ponytail.

"What are you talking about?" Puck had wanted to attend the wedding to support Mr. Schuster because the truth his life would have been different without Glee. The problem was he had a very important meeting regarding the pool company he was trying to start.

"Ms. Pillsbury pulled the runaway bride! That was scandalous enough except rumor has it that Quinn was seen coming out of Santana's room doing the walk of shame. Artie hook up with Ms. Pillsbury niece and I know for a fact that Kurt and Blaine hooked up. "Mercedes gossiped. She missed gossiping in general.

"Wow, I should have gone." Puck laughed.

"Yea, I saw your jailbait girlfriend." Mercedes teased.

"Whatever you got a letter from Trouty."Puck handed her a small purple envelope, "we can talk about this wedding later.'

"Thanks" Mercedes examined the letter. Puck hoped off the couch. She wondered what now. She opened the card it was a sorry- card. A picture of Alfalfa on the front with his head tied up like he had a tooth ache, above his head was the caption: I just got my wisdom tooth removed. Inside it read: That's the only explanation of why I would hurt you, the loss of my wisdom. Sorry!

Sam's handwriting was on the other side of the card it read:

Dear Mercedes,

I know I have to earn the privilege to call you Mercury again. I know I did at Breadsticks; I felt like a fraud. I miss my friends that left last year. I miss you more though and I miss myself the most. I don't feel like the guy you feel in love with the year before. I liked him better. I plan to do my thing and do what I can to become that Superhero I was once to Stacy or Stevie or at least the best big brother like I was before.

Thank you for giving me a second chance being my friend. I was wrong not having you in my life is worse than not having you in my life at all.

I don't want to keep you long I know you are busy probably making a date with Matt. Okay, just kidding sort of!

Before I end this letter I want to invite you to McKinley High's Senior graduation in May as my guest. I already threatened Tina and Blaine they cannot invite you. I hope you can make it! I have a surprise I want to share with you at graduation!

Don't bother trying to find it out through Tina or anybody else. I didn't tell anybody at school, couldn't risk it!

Hope to see you there!

See you soon your friend,

Sam D. Evans

p.s. your friend always!

...

Mercedes chased away the tears falling from her eyes. She guessed she was going to graduation as Sam Evans guest.

"Cedes, want to grab something to eat?" Puck popped his head out of the kitchen there was nothing to eat.

"Sure; why not? Where to?" Mercedes smiled.

"I have a taste for Olive Garden." Puck said, "How is Trouty doing? Is everything okay between you two?" Puck always wondered what went wrong with those two. They had been great together. Mercedes had been good for him he was more sure of himself and Sam had been good for Mercedes, she allowed others to see another part of her beside that peacock Diva personality she hid behind sometimes.

"Sam is fine. I think we will be okay soon enough." Mercedes went to put her card in her room. Sam was trying, no over top gestures just a small gesture! She was willing to give their friendship a try.

There you have it! The next to last chapter to this story! I want to thank everyone who is reading, following, and reviewing this story!

I actually got discouraged with this story for a while! Thank you for being patient with me!

The quote about the bird I got from author Jodi Picoult's novel Picture Perfect

I really was disappointed with RIB for allowing Puck to become that guy the douche said he would be hitting on high school girls!

I couldn't remember if Puck was at the weddig, I don't think so dough but why not?

I loved "Dukes of Hazzard" and Bo Duke was my favorite! I couldn't help making a reerence to it!

I never understand why Sam is dating his ex's ex, oh well the world of Glee!

Can't wait to get Blue fixed so I can update more!

Love ya,

LudaNeet

.